This edition brings you recent important news, high-level diplomacy, key developments in China, and updates on China-EU relations. Enjoy reading!

Table of Contents

Important News

⭐ China Holds Gathering Marking 105th Founding Anniversary of CPC

⭐Xi Hails CPC's 105-year "epic," Urges Building Modern Socialist China

High-level Events

⭐Han Zheng Addresses the Opening Ceremony of the 14th World Peace Forum

⭐Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

China-Europe Relations

⭐Danish King Frederik X Meets with Wang Yi

⭐Wang Yi Holds Talks with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen

⭐Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson Meets with Wang Yi

⭐Wang Yi Holds Talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergar

⭐Wang Yi Meets with Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB  Jacob Wallenberg

⭐Wang Wentao and Maros Šefčovič Held the First Meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations

⭐Wang Wentao Meets with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche

⭐The Mission of China to the EU Holds the Third Event of the “China Briefing” Series on China’s Practices and Perspectives in AI Development

⭐China and EU Hold Talks on Cross-border E-commerce Consumer Product Safety

⭐China and EU Customs Hold Bilateral Talks on the sidelines of WCO Annual Council Session

Spokesperson's Remarks

⭐ On China-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation

⭐ On China Opportunity 2.0

Weekly Quotes

Visual Highlights

China Holds Gathering Marking 105th Founding Anniversary of CPC

A gathering marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech at the gathering, reviewing the Party's extraordinary journey and hailed its historic achievements.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said socialist China under the leadership of the CPC has been widely recognized as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

Xi conferred the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, on eight model CPC members at the event. Outstanding Party members, Party workers and primary-level Party organizations from across the country were also honored.

Xi Hails CPC's 105-year "epic," Urges Building Modern Socialist China

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed the 105-year history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the "most magnificent epic" of the Chinese nation and urged the Party to press ahead to build China into a modern socialist country on schedule.

Xi called on Party members to remain steadfast in their convictions and work tirelessly to fulfill the Party's missions in the new era and on the new journey.

Founded in 1921 against the backdrop of a weak China plagued by foreign humiliation and poverty, the CPC has grown from a small group of just over 50 members into the world's largest governing party with tremendous global influence.

Xi underscored the importance of meeting the goal of fully realizing socialist modernization by the middle of the century.

"Time stops for no one, and neither does history," he said.

(Read full text here)

Han Zheng Addresses the Opening Ceremony of the 14th World Peace Forum

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng addresses the opening ceremony of the 14th World Peace Forum at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Han said, China will use the World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all parties to build a global AI governance system based on broad consensus. China has put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative, advocating a people-centered approach and the development of AI for the good of humanity.

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

On June 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 noted that in May this year, President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump reached a series of important common understandings in Beijing, including building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability, which provided strategic guidance and identified the direction for the development of bilateral relations for the next three years and beyond. The two sides should always uphold the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and translate the important common understandings of the two heads of state into concrete policies and practical actions. Building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability is not a slogan. It requires real actions, efforts from both sides in the same direction, and sustained and persistent commitment. To this end, the two sides need to expand the list of cooperation and create more positive agendas while shortening the list of issues and managing various risks and potential dangers. The Taiwan question is a highly sensitive issue that may have far-reaching implications. It is hoped that the U.S. side will handle Taiwan-related affairs with the utmost prudence.

The two sides agreed that the phone call between the two foreign ministers was positive and constructive, and agreed to work together to deliver on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and to continue to maintain communication in flexible ways.

Danish King Frederik X Meets with Wang Yi

On July 3, 2026, Danish King Frederik X met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang Yi stated that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Denmark in emerging areas such as the green economy, innovation and artificial intelligence, while deepening people-to-people exchanges to enhance friendship between the two peoples.

King Frederik X said Denmark and China enjoy a long history of exchanges, and that the two peoples share a longstanding friendship. Bilateral relations are currently maintaining sound momentum, with active economic and trade cooperation and close people-to-people exchanges. He said that the Danish royal family and he himself stand ready to play an active role in carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and promoting the further development of bilateral relations.

Wang Yi Holds Talks with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen

On July 2, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Copenhagen.

Wang Yi stated that China and Denmark boast a long history of exchanges. China is ready to further expand trade and investment cooperation with Denmark, launch negotiations on a new version of the Green Joint Work Programme, deepen collaboration in scientific research and innovation, green shipping, health and medical care led by green cooperation, and expand exchanges covering education, culture, tourism, youth and sports. 

Wang Yi pointed out that China and the EU are partners rather than rivals, and cooperation should serve as the fundamental underpinning and mainstream tone of China-EU relations. He hoped that Denmark will play a constructive role in advancing the sound and steady development of EU-China relations.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that Denmark and China share extensive common interests. Denmark looks forward to maintaining exchanges at all levels with China, continuing open and candid dialogue, exploring the formulation of a new Green Joint Work Programme, and promoting exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, culture, health and education. Danish enterprises have full confidence in China’s development prospects and are ready to take long-term root in the Chinese market. Denmark is also willing to play an active part in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson Meets with Wang Yi

On July 4, 2026, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang Yi stated that as China-Sweden relations have encountered some difficulties in recent years, it is particularly important for the two sides to strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual understanding and rebuild mutual trust, and it is even more crucial to maintain a correct perception of each other.

Ulf Kristersson stated that Sweden adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen dialogue, broaden consensus and advance mutually beneficial and promising cooperation across various fields with China. Sweden also supports Europe and China in strengthening dialogue and properly managing differences.

Wang Yi Holds Talks with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergar

On July 4, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergar in Stockholm.

Wang Yi stated that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Sweden to jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, uphold the international order based on international laws, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change. China welcomes Swedish enterprises to seize more opportunities offered by China's vast market, complete industrial chains and diverse application scenarios. Meanwhile, he expressed the hope that Sweden will provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment.

Maria Malmer Stenergar stated that Sweden is ready to strengthen dialogue with China at all levels, make good use of bilateral mechanisms on economy, trade, science and technology, and expand cooperation in various areas.

Wang Yi Meets with Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB  Jacob Wallenberg

On July 4, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Chair of the Board of Sweden-based Investor AB  Jacob Wallenberg in Stockholm.

Wang Yi stated that the Wallenberg family and the Swedish business community should continue to play an active role in encouraging the Swedish government to pursue a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, helping the Swedish public gain a true understanding of China and fostering stronger public support for improving bilateral relations. Embracing China means embracing opportunities, and investing in China means investing in the future.

Wallenberg said that China has achieved remarkable development accomplishments, with its economic competitiveness and international influence continuing to grow. Deepening cooperation with China is crucial for both Sweden and Europe, adding that the Wallenberg family has confidence in China's development prospects and stands ready to continue investing in China, cultivating the Chinese market and integrating into China's development, while making unremitting efforts to promote the sound and steady development of Sweden-China and Europe-China economic and trade relations.

Wang Wentao and Maros Šefčovič Held the First Meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations

China and the EU have confirmed the official establishment of China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism as the two sides held the first meeting of the mechanism, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday.

The two sides identified four initial workstreams under the mechanism, which include trade and investment balancing, export controls, intellectual property rights and WTO reform, the joint statement said.

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Šefčovič co-chaired the first meeting of the mechanism on Monday in Brussels.

The two sides conducted comprehensive, in-depth and constructive discussions on key economic and trade issues, according to the commerce ministry.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish a joint monitoring mechanism to exchange relevant data, monitor trade flows and support technical work with a view to improving transparency, enhancing mutual trust and managing trade frictions.

They agreed that increased market access measures and initiatives can contribute to the balancing of trade relationship. They also discussed possible tariff or non-tariff initiatives to this effect, exchanged lists of market access issues and agreed to continue consultations within the trade and investment balancing workstream with a view to making progress on specific concerns.

Both sides took note of the positive results of the China-EU export control dialogue regarding rare earth elements and other critical materials and minerals, and intended to strengthen dialogue in this field, according to the joint statement.

The two sides recognized the need to strengthen the China-EU export control dialogue and agreed to take further facilitation measures to maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

China and the EU underline the necessity of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the WTO, advancing substantive progress on WTO reform, and improving the authority and effectiveness of the WTO, the joint statement said.

Wang Wentao Meets with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche

On June 28, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche in Brussels. The two sides held candid and in-depth exchanges on China-Germany and China-EU economic and trade relations.

Wang emphasized that the essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is not a zero-sum game but mutual benefit. Against the current backdrop, maintaining overall stability in these relations carries global significance. Wang expressed hope that the German government will play a positive and constructive role within the EU, encourage the EU side to adopt a rational and pragmatic policy stance on economic and trade relations with China, and pull with China in the same direction to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.

Reiche stated that Germany looks forward to the EU and China making good use of the trade and investment consultation mechanism to properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue. The two sides agreed to restart the mechanism of the China-Germany Joint Economic Committee and maintain communication on convening its next meeting at an early date. In addition, the two sides agreed to immediately launch technical-level consultations on export controls to address each other’s concerns in a balanced manner.

The Mission of China to the EU Holds the Third Event of the “China Briefing” Series on China’s Practices and Perspectives in AI Development

On July 2, 2026, the Mission of China to the EU held the third event of the “China Briefing” Series in Brussels. Mr. Yu Xiaohui, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), was invited to deliver a keynote lecture on “China’s Practices and Perspectives in AI Development.” The event was chaired by Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Mission of China to the EU. More than 150 participants attended the event, including officials from EU institutions such as the European Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as think tank scholars, media representatives, and diplomatic envoys to the EU.

（Read full text here）

China and EU Hold Talks on Cross-border E-commerce Consumer Product Safety

On June 26, Zhang Baofeng, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, met with Ana Gallego Torres, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission.

The two sides had in-depth exchanges on supervision of consumer product safety in cross-border e-commerce and agreed to further strengthen mutual assistance and policy and regulatory training in this field.

China and EU Customs Hold Bilateral Talks on the sidelines of WCO Annual Council Session

On 25 June, Zhang Baofeng, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, held talks with Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, on the sidelines of the WCO Annual Council Session.

Both sides exchanged views on updating of China-EU Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement and cooperation on cross-border e-commerce.

On China-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation

AFP: EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held talks with Chinese Commerce Minister on Monday. The two sides vowed to tackle their trade frictions through dialogue despite the EU warning that the status quo was not an option. What is the foreign ministry’s comment?

Guo Jiakun: We would like to stress that China and the EU are partners, not rivals. China-EU economic and trade cooperation is mutually-beneficial and win-win in nature. The root cause of the EU’s problems does not lie with China. The key to resolving issues in bilateral trade lies in deepening cooperation and realizing shared development. China is willing to step up communication and consultation with the EU to properly handle trade differences in a constructive manner based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

On China Opportunity 2.0

Phoenix TV: Those in the business sector describe China as “the world’s toughest gym,” citing China’s unique advantages in rapid innovation at scale as an important pillar for “China opportunity 2.0” in the future. What’s your view? 

Guo Jiakun: China has evolved from the “world’s factory” to “world’s market” and to “innovation powerhouse.” Its rising competitiveness stems not only from a stable policy environment but also from the momentum brought by sci-tech innovation. While China is providing greater “market dividends” to the world, it is also contributing more “innovation dividends.” 

In the broader global economy, innovation stands as a vital pathway to counter downward pressure and reignite growth momentum. China will stay committed to high-standard opening up and share with the rest of the world cutting-edge technologies and outcomes. We welcome enterprises from all countries to seize the “China opportunity 2.0” for greater advancement, enhance resilience through open cooperation and win the future with common development. 

China has moved from a period of fragmentation, poverty and foreign pressure to becoming one of the world's leading economic, technological and industrial powerhouses. This did not happen overnight. It required state-building, reform, modernization, and the ability to adapt to changing historical circumstances.

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Tianshan Mountains in Xingjiang

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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: SUN Jiachen