This issue brings together the latest news in China, along with China's global engagement and key updates in China-EU relations. Enjoy reading!

Top News

CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping met with KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday morning met with Cheng Li-wun, Chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing.

General Secretary Xi pointed out that a meeting between CPC and KMT leaders after 10 years is of great significance for developing relations between the two political parties and across the Taiwan Strait. 

No matter how the international landscape and cross-Strait situation may evolve, the underlying trend toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will not change, and the irresistible momentum for the Chinese on both sides of the Strait to come together will not change. 

We are prepared to work with the KMT and other political parties, groups, and people from all walks of life in Taiwan on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence”, and strengthen exchanges and dialogue to seek peace for the two sides of the Strait, advance the well-being of our compatriots, and strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We will keep the future of cross-Strait relations firmly in the hands of the Chinese people.

General Secretary Xi made four points about the development of cross-Strait relations.

1. Fostering heart-to-heart connection on the basis of correct identity.
2. Safeguarding the common homeland through peaceful development.
3. Improving public well-being through exchanges and closer ties.
4. Striving together for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

President Xi Jinping urges breaking new ground in high-quality development of service sector

An instruction of Chinese President Xi Jinping was conveyed at a national conference on the service sector held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. 

China's service sector has steadily expanded in scale and continuously improved in quality and efficiency since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, playing an important role in supporting industrial upgrading, meeting people's livelihood needs and driving job growth.

Underscoring demand-driven development, reform breakthroughs, technology empowerment as well as opening up and cooperation, President Xi called for carrying out capacity-expanding and quality-upgrading initiatives in the service sector.

Efforts must be made to advance producer services toward greater specialization and the higher end of the value chain, foster high-quality, diverse and accessible consumer services, and build more "China Services" brands, said President Xi.

China Brief

China releases guidelines to promote high-quality e-commerce development

Several Chinese government departments have jointly issued guidelines to advance high-quality development of the e-commerce sector, aiming to strengthen its role in supporting the real economy.

The document outlines key measures to deepen the integration of the digital and real economies, focusing on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises and rural areas through e-commerce, boosting industrial digitalization, and encouraging technological innovation to improve consumption quality.

It also highlights efforts to expand high-standard opening up by advancing cross-border e-commerce and the Silk Road e-commerce initiative, while pushing for greater alignment with international rules in areas such as digital trade.

To foster a sound development ecosystem, the guidelines call for clarifying the responsibilities of platforms, enhancing regulation, and supporting e-commerce companies in expanding globally in compliance with relevant regulations.

China adds pilot FTZ in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

China has expanded its pilot free trade zones (FTZ) to 23 with the establishment of the China (Inner Mongolia) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the latest move in the country's sustained push for high-standard opening up, according to a plan made public by the State Council Thursday.

The plan grants the new pilot FTZ in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region greater reform autonomy and encourages pioneering, integrated and differentiated exploration across a wider range of areas and at a deeper level.

It specifies 19 reform and innovation measures, including developing border trade in an innovative way, strengthening international logistics services, improving the efficiency of technology transfer and application, and expanding external exchanges across multiple fields.

China had earlier established 22 pilot FTZs in areas including Shanghai, Guangdong, Liaoning, Hainan, Shandong and Beijing. The previous addition was the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone in 2023.

Since the establishment of the first FTZ in Shanghai in 2013, China's FTZs have achieved remarkable results in institutional innovation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), over 200 institutional innovations were rolled out, with landmark measures such as the negative list for foreign investment optimizing the country's business environment.

China will move faster toward all-around opening up through links running eastward and westward, across land, and over sea, according to the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

China revised regulations on the registration administration of overseas production enterprises of imported foods

The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China recently revised and issued the “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Registration Administration of Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Foods” and the accompanying implementation announcement, further facilitating food trade exports to China. The relevant new regulations will come into effect on June 1, 2026.

(Click to learn more)

During this year's three-day Qingming Festival holiday, China's border inspection agencies recorded 6.779 million entries and exits, with a daily average of 2.26 million, up 9.1% from the same period a year ago. Among them, 843,000 entries and exits were made by foreign travellers, up 20.9% YoY, including 319,000 visa-free entries, up 30.7% YoY.

China-EU Relations

China's commerce ministry stresses healthy China-EU trade ties

China hopes the European Union will work with China to promote healthy and positive bilateral economic and trade relations. As key trade partners, China and the EU have built their economic and trade cooperation on a solid foundation and maintained strong growth momentum over the years. The two sides have deeply integrated their industrial and supply chains, fostering a relationship characterized by complementary strengths and mutual benefits, said spokesperson He Yadong.

China has remained open to negotiating and signing bilateral economic and trade arrangements with the EU, and has welcomed relevant proposals from European leaders, the spokesperson said.

FM Spokesperson's Comments

On the situation in Iran

Since the fighting began, China has worked actively to help bring about an end to the conflict.

• Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phones calls with his counterparts from relevant countries.
• The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the Gulf and Middle East region in a mediation effort.
• China and Pakistan jointly put forward the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region.

As a responsible major country, China will continue playing a constructive role and making positive contribution to restoring peace and tranquility in the Gulf and Middle East region.

Weekly Quote 

Telling the Truth About China’s Success 

It is time the West stopped blaming China for the decisions of its own Big Business, Wall Street, and their pliant politicians. Sanctions against China are a ludicrous substitute for industrial policy. 

— former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis in an article carried by Project Syndicate 

Through the Lens

🔸 Spring scenery across 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: LI Mo