Welcome back after the International Workers' Day. This issue focuses on the latest high-level exchanges in China's diplomacy and China-EU relations, with newest figures on China's opening-up. Enjoy reading!

Top Story in China

CPC leadership meeting on economic situation and work

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a meeting on 28 April to analyze and study the current economic situation and economic work.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that the Chinese economy has been off to a robust start this year. However, the economy still faces difficulties and challenges, and the foundation for the country's sustained economic recovery needs to be further consolidated.

The meeting called for greater efforts and more concrete measures to bolster economic work.

⭐Achieve self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and build self-supporting and risk-controllable industrial chains.

⭐Implement a more proactive fiscal policy and apply an appropriately accommodative monetary policy in a targeted and effective way, continuously expand domestic demand and optimize supply.

⭐Strengthen the domestic economy and improve domestic and international economic flows so as to get the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) off to a good start.

⭐Make full use of macro policies, optimize fiscal spending structures, and make monetary policy more forward-looking, flexible and targeted.

⭐Tap domestic demand potential, with measures to expand the supply of quality goods and services to drive consumption upgrading.

⭐Step up the planning and construction of water networks, new-type power grids, computing infrastructure, new-generation communications networks, urban underground pipelines, and logistics systems, and promote the commencement of major engineering projects where conditions are ripe.

⭐Accelerate the building of a modernized industrial system, further enhance the building of a unified national market, and make further efforts to address involution-style competition.

⭐Fully implement the "AI plus" initiative, develop new forms of intelligent economy, and improve AI governance.

⭐Systematically address external shocks and challenges, enhance energy and resource security, and respond to uncertainties with the certainty of high-quality development.

⭐Prevent and defuse risks in key areas, strive to stabilize the property market, resolve local government debt risks in an orderly manner, and stabilize and boost confidence in capital markets.

The meeting also stressed the employment-first policy and vowed to strengthen public services in education, healthcare and childcare. 

High-level Diplomatic Exchanges

Chinese VP Han Zheng meets President of 80th session of UNGA Annalena Baerbock

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, on 29 April in Beijing.

Han said China is willing to take the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative as an opportunity to continuously deepen cooperation with the UN, support the UNGA in adhering to true multilateralism, jointly safeguard world peace and security, and promote development and prosperity.

Baerbock said China is a key partner of the UN and an important pillar of multilateralism, adding that she appreciates the important initiative put forward by China and stands ready to deepen cooperation with China to revitalize multilateralism and jointly promote global peace and development.

During her visit in China, President Baerbock also met with the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Chinese VP Han Zheng meets Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on bilateral relations in Beijing on 29 April.

Han said that China-Australia relations have made significant progress over the past decade or so, but also experienced ups and downs. China and Australia's adherence to treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation, conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides, Han added.

He noted that China stands ready to work with Australia to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of both countries, hold on to the right direction for bilateral ties, strengthen alignment of development strategies, enhance dialogue and exchanges, and build a more mature, stable and fruitful China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Penny Wong said that currently Australia-China relations have maintained a sound growth momentum, with steady progress in mutually beneficial cooperation, adding that Australia highly values its ties with China and will enhance communication and dialogue, expand pragmatic cooperation, and advance sustained development of bilateral relations.

FM Penny Wong came to China to hold the eighth China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with FM Wang Yi.

FM Wang Yi has a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

On April 30, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Wang Yi stated that head-of-state diplomacy has always been the “stabilizing anchor” for China-U.S. relations. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, China-U.S. relations have generally remained stable, which serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and meets the common expectations of the international community. Both sides should maintain the hard-won stability, make good preparations for the important agenda for high-level interactions, expand cooperation and manage differences, and explore the building of a strategic, constructive, and stable China-U.S. relationship, so as to achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Wang Yi underscored that the Taiwan question bears on China's core interests and is the biggest risk in China-U.S. relations. The U.S. side should honor its commitments and make the right choice, to open up new space for China-U.S. cooperation and make due efforts for world peace.

Marco Rubio stated that the U.S.-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and that head-of-state diplomacy lies at the core of this relationship. Both sides should maintain communication and coordination, respect each other, and properly manage differences to accumulate results for high-level interactions and seek strategic stability in U.S.-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other issues.

China Assumes Rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council for May

On May 1, 2026, China assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of May, with three priorities outlined:

1. Revitalizing the authority of the UN Charter and the role of the UN;
2. Advancing political settlement of Middle East issues;
3. Promoting stability and development in African countries.

China-EU Relations

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot visits China

On April 30, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot in Beijing.

Wang Yi stated that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium. With the care and support of the leaders of both countries, bilateral relations have achieved stable and significant development, and the two sides have established an all-round partnership of friendly cooperation. Amid intertwined global changes and turbulence, both China and Belgium are defenders and practitioners of multilateralism, and supporters and beneficiaries of an open world economy. Both countries advocate for the political settlement of disputes through dialogue and uphold international law, sharing broad common interests. China is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work with Belgium to uphold mutual respect, seek more common ground while shelving differences, maintain close dialogue, enhance mutual understanding and trust, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and tap the potential of practical cooperation so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

Wang Yi stated that as the seat of the EU and a key gateway for China-EU cooperation, Belgium elevates the China-Belgium relationship to a level transcending bilateral ties. China hopes that Belgium will play a positive and constructive role within the EU, promote the proper handling of economic and trade differences between Europe and China through dialogue and consultation, uphold open cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit.

Maxime Prévot stated that amid the current turbulent international situation, the Belgium-China relationship is more important than ever. It is even more crucial to maintain dialogue and communication, be reliable partners for each other, jointly address global challenges, and promote common development and prosperity. 

On the Taiwan question, Belgium consistently adheres to the one-China policy, abides by relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and holds that there is only one China in the world, with the government of the People’s Republic of China being the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Regarding economic and trade issues, Belgium does not agree with protectionism. In a positive, open and constructive spirit, Belgium is willing to enhance communication and dialogue with China, properly handle existing differences, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

Belgium stands ready to work with China to safeguard multilateralism, defend international law, and play a positive role in promoting the healthy development of EU-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional hotspot issues of mutual concern. Wang Yi elaborated on China’s principled position. Maxime Prévot appreciated China’s efforts in easing regional tensions and its commitment to resolving issues through dialogue, expressing Belgium’s willingness to maintain close communication with China.

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou Fai in Brussels

The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou Fai paid a visit to Brussels on 24 and 25 April and met Vice-President of the EP Younous Omarjee and Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs of the EEAS Olof Skoog. 

The meetings helped to consolidate and develop continuously the trade partnership between Macao and the EU, with pledges to expand cooperative relations in areas such as innovative technology, green technology, higher education, and cultural and tourism industries.

Brussels is the last step of his four-nation European tour ( Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium), first official overseas visit since assuming office as Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region. During the tour, 46 activities of various kinds were held, including high-level meetings, events showcasing the achievements of the “One country, two systems” principle, economic and trade promotions, tourism promotions, and cultural and educational exchanges. More than 100 cooperation agreements were signed.

News of our Mission

The Mission of China to the EU holds Press Conference on China’s Comments on the EU’s Proposals for a revised Cybersecurity Act and the Industrial Accelerator Act

On April 29, 2026, the Mission of China to the EU held a press conference to present China’s comments on the EU’s proposals for a revised Cybersecurity Act (CSA2) and the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Minister of the Mission Suo Peng, responsible for economic and trade affairs, delivered the briefing on China’s comments and took questions. Minister-Counsellor Chen Su chaired the event. Major European media outlets, including Euronews, Bloomberg, Reuters, Politico, and The Brussels Times, as well as European bureaus of major Chinese media outlets attended the press conference. 

Minister Suo Peng noted that China is seriously concerned about the EU’s recent release of the CSA2 and IAA proposals. The CSA2 introduces the highly subjective and arbitrary concept of “non-technical risk,” a typical move to politicize economic and trade issues and overstretch the concept of security. The proposed IAA imposes restrictive requirements on foreign investment and introduces exclusive clauses in public procurement and public intervention policies, amounting to investment barriers and institutional discrimination. The two proposals violate WTO rules and would cause substantive harm to China-EU economic and trade relations, disrupt global industrial and supply chains, and undermine the EU’s own digital and green transitions. China stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue and consultations with the EU and will closely follow the legislative process of the CSA2 and IAA. If the EU insists on adopting these proposals and discriminates against Chinese companies, China will have to take countermeasures. 

Minister-Counsellor Chen Su stated that China-EU relations carry strategic significance and global influence. China hopes the EU will work with China in the same direction, uphold the positioning of partnership, enable each other’s success, and deliver benefits to the world.

Click to learn more about the comments of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on the CSA2 and the IAA.

Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the European Parliament's China-Related Resolution

Q: On April 30, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning China's ethnic policies and laws. What is China’s comment?

A: The relevant resolution of the European Parliament disregards facts and the rule of law, maliciously smears China’s laws and ethnic policies, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition and has lodged solemn representations with the EU side.

China is a unified multi-ethnic country, and all ethnic groups maintain a relationship featuring equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony. The Chinese government protects the lawful rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups in accordance with the law. The rights of people of all ethnic groups in political, economic, cultural and social fields are fully guaranteed.

China urges the European Parliament to uphold conscience and respect facts, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, stop endorsing and supporting anti-China separatist forces, stop smearing China's policies and laws, and take concrete steps to safeguard the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.

China and the World

FDI in China's mainland in Q1

ZERO-TARIFF to all African countries having diplomatic ties with it starting May 1, 2026

2026 Beijing Auto Show makes history as world’s largest: 1,400+ vehicles and leading industry players

A video from Euronews Next

Weekly Quote 

Through the Lens

Delighted to share beautiful moments during the May Day holiday in China

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of China, except those from the official website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Chinese Mission to the EU and other Chinese governmental websites.

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                                                                                   Editor: LIU Di