Weekly
=== NEWSLETTER Nº 05===
2 February 2026
In this edition, we look back at the key highlights from recent developments, with a particular focus on interactions between Chinese and European leaders, as well as the latest updates from China’s technology sector. We hope you enjoy reading.
China-Europe Interactions
President Xi Jinping Meets with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo
(click to watch the video)
On the morning of January 27, 2026, President Xi Jinping met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the Finnish leader’s official visit to China.
🔸Pointing to a world facing various risks and challenges, President Xi stated that a collective response from the international community is essential, and major countries, in particular, should take the lead in upholding equality, the rule of law, cooperation and integrity. He expressed China’s readiness to work with Finland to firmly uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, respond to global challenges together, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. President Xi shared his view that China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and their cooperation and common ground far outweigh their competition and differences. He expressed the hope for Finland to play its constructive role in promoting the healthy and steady development of China-Europe relations.
🔸Prime Minister Orpo said that Finland is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly uphold world peace and stability. He noted the importance of constructive EU-China relations and said that Finland advocates European strategic autonomy, supports free trade, and stands ready to play an active role in facilitating the proper settlement of trade frictions between the EU and China and the sound development of EU-China relations.
During the visit, Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Orpo jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering fields such as science and technology, housing and urban-rural development, customs, culture and tourism, economy and trade, and energy. China's Ministry of Commerce and Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening the work of the China-Finland Committee for Innovative Business Cooperation, and jointly convened the sixth meeting of the committee.
President Xi Jinping Meets with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer
(click to watch the video)
On the morning of January 29, President Xi Jinping met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Both sides agreed to develop a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the U.K.
🔸President Xi Jinping pointed out that unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics are running rampant. The international order is under great strain. International law can be truly effective only when all countries abide by it. Major countries in particular should set an example, otherwise the world will revert to the law of the jungle. As supporters of multilateralism and free trade, China and the U.K. should advocate and practice true multilateralism, make the global governance system more just and equitable, and build an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
🔸Prime Minister Starmer said he was delighted to be the first British Prime Minister to visit China in 8 years. As major economies and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, it is vital for the U.K. and China to build a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership with mutual respect and trust, especially in a volatile and fragile world. China plays a vital role in international affairs, and the U.K. would like to strengthen cooperation with China on climate change and other global challenges and jointly uphold world peace and stability.
This visit has produced fruitful outcomes. Both sides agreed to establish the high-level China-UK climate and nature partnership, resume the high-level China-UK security dialogue, and hold a new round of institutional dialogues within this year, such as the China-UK strategic dialogue and economic and financial dialogue, and the meeting of the China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission. China will cut tariffs on U.K. whisky from 10 percent to 5 percent. Both sides agreed in principle to resume normal exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries. China will allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa. During the visit, Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Keir Starmer witnessed the signing of 12 intergovernmental cooperation documents in trade and economic exchange, agriculture and food, culture, and market regulation, among other fields.
Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne
On January 28, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi had a phone call with Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne at the latter's request.
🔸Wang Yi reiterated that China and the European Union (EU) are partners rather than rivals, which has been proven by the fruitful outcomes of bilateral cooperation over the past 50 years and more. China and the EU share the same or similar positions on promoting a multipolar world and many other issues, and both sides are capable of properly resolving specific trade disputes through dialogue and coordination. Under the current circumstances, the two sides should, in particular, step up dialogue, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation. The recent visits to China by several leaders from European countries have strongly advanced China-Europe relations. Wang Yi expressed the hope that France will continue to play a positive role within the EU and promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.
🔸Emmanuel Bonne said that France is willing to strengthen strategic communication and coordination with China on major international hotspot issues through bilateral and multilateral platforms, jointly address challenges, and make positive contributions to safeguarding global security and stability as well as promoting common development and prosperity. Working in the same direction and further stabilizing relations fully serve the interests of both the EU and China, and the French side is willing to make efforts to promote the steady development of EU-China relations.
China’s Bilateral Relationship Designations with the EU and Its Member States
European Union: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2003
Austria: Friendly Strategic Partnership, since 2018
Belgium: All‑round Partnership of Friendly Cooperation, since 2014
Bulgaria: Strategic Partnership, since 2019
Croatia: Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership, since 2005
Cyprus: Strategic Partnership, since 2021
Czech Republic: Strategic Partnership, since 2016
Denmark: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2008
Estonia: Diplomatic Relations, since 1991
Finland: Future-oriented New-type Cooperative Partnership, since 2017
France: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2010
Germany: All‑round Strategic Partnership, since 2014
Greece: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2006
Hungary: All-Weather Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the New Era, since 2024
Ireland: Strategic Partnership of Mutual Benefit, since 2012
Italy: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2004
Latvia: Diplomatic Relations, since 1991
Lithuania: Diplomatic Relations (Chargé d’Affaires Level), since 2021
Luxembourg: Diplomatic Relations, since 1972
Malta: Diplomatic Relations, since 1972
Netherlands: Open and Pragmatic Partnership for Comprehensive Cooperation, since 2014
Poland: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2016
Portugal: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2005
Romania: Comprehensive Friendly and Cooperative Partnership, since 2004
Slovakia: Strategic Partnership, since 2024
Slovenia: Diplomatic Relations, since 1992
Spain: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, since 2005
Sweden: Diplomatic Relations, since 1950
China Tech Brief
Top 10 Defense Technology News Stories of 2025 in China
Recently, the “Top 10 Defense Technology News Stories of 2025 in China” was officially released.
1. China held massive parade to mark 80th anniversary of WWII victory, showcasing a range of weapons and military hardware.
2. The Tianwen 2 probe was launched successfully, embarking on China's first asteroid exploration and sample-return mission.
3. China Enacts Atomic Energy Law. The development of fusion energy has attracted much attention.
4.China commissions its first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, the Fujian. Three types of aircraft successfully completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing trainings.
5.China's largest natural uranium production project, "Guoyou No.1", produced its "first barrel of uranium".
6.The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense established a Commercial Aerospace Department, indicating the continued rapid development of China's commercial aerospace.
7.The orbiter of China's Mars mission Tianwen-1 observes interstellar object 3I/ATLAS.
8.China successfully completes first emergency launch in the history of its manned space program.
9.Hefu No.1, China's first commercial reactor Carbon-14 isotope enters the market.
10. The J-10CE fighter achieved its first combat victory, drawing global attention.
China's central SOEs harness innovation to foster new growth drivers
China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government have intensified moves to explore the innovation frontier, with robust tech investment and brisk adoption of new technologies, in a bid to develop more competitive, world-class enterprises. They have played an important role in advancing key technologies, fostering strategic emerging industries, and developing new quality productive forces.
Renewable energy leads growth in China's power generation capacity
As of the end of 2025, China's total installed power generation capacity reached 3.89 billion kW, a year-on-year increase of 16.1%. Solar energy was the standout performer in the country's energy mix, with installed capacity surging 35.4% to 1.2 billion kW. Wind power also continued its steady expansion, with installed capacity reaching 640 million kW, up 22.9 percent year on year.
China has built the world's largest renewable energy system, vowing to accelerate the green transition across the board.
Weekly Quote
“To truly comprehend one another, we must learn each other's languages, understand each other's civilizations and cultures, and engage in travel and exchanges.”
—— Emmanuel Macron, speech at Sichuan University, Chendu, China, december 5, 2025
I profoundly believe that broader and deeper engagement, which we've been talking about all this week, is our way of seeing the whole elephant and, therefore, building a more sophisticated relationship with China fit for these times.
——Keir Starmer, speech during meeting with business delegates in Beijing, China, January 29, 2026
🔸A poster released by Xinhua News, showing the inbound travel surged in 2025, fueled by China's expanding visa-free policies, which covers 25 EU coutries.
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: Gu Wenjie
