This edition highlights recent news with a special focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulations to the World Data Organization on its inauguration, high-level diplomatic exchanges with the EU, Austria, Germany and Pakistan, key developments in China-EU relations, as well as the spokesperson's remarks on several issues. Enjoy reading.

Table of Contents

Important News

⭐ Chinese President Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to the World Data Organization on Its Inauguration

China-EU Relations

⭐ Zhao Leji Meets High-Level Delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association

⭐ Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission Kaja Kallas

⭐ Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul

⭐ European Parliament Delegation Visits China

⭐ China Rises to 3rd Place in European Patent Applications in 2025

⭐ China, Europe Share Common Ground on Trade, Says Former Italian PM Gentiloni

Iran Issues

⭐ China, Pakistan Put Forward Five-Point Initiative on Restoring Peace, Stability in Gulf Region and Middle East

Spokesperson's Remarks

⭐ On  the European Parliament Delegation Visit to China

⭐ On the China-Pakistan Five-Point Initiative

China's Global Appeal

⭐ Global Exhibitors Drawn to 6th China International Consumer Products Expo

⭐ Visa-free Policies Boost Inbound Travel, Lifting Tourism Economy

⭐ "Shopping in China" Becomes New Way for Foreign Visitors to Discover China

Weekly Quotes

Visual Highlights

Chinese President Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to the World Data Organization on Its Inauguration

On March 30, 2026, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the World Data Organization (WDO) on its inauguration.

‌Xi Jinping pointed out that the world is embarking on the intelligent era at an accelerated pace, and the role of data as a fundamental resource and innovation driver is becoming increasingly evident. With the tenet of “bridging the data divide, unlocking data’s value, powering the digital economy”, WDO provides a beneficial platform for deepening international data cooperation and improving global data governance.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China will uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, support the role of WDO, and work with all parties to build consensus on data governance rules, promote digital and intelligent technological innovation, facilitate secure, orderly flow and efficient development and utilization of data, support the healthy development of the global digital economy, and enable the benefits of data to better serve people around the world.

Zhao Leji Meets High-Level Delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association

On March 31, 2026, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji met with a high-level delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association led by Austrian Federal Council President Markus Stotter, in Beijing.

Zhao Leji stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Alexander Van der Bellen, the connotation of China-Austria relations has been continuously enriched and cooperation in various fields has been steadily advancing. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, and China is willing to work with Austria to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, take into account each other’s core interests and major concerns, create new highlights of cooperation in areas such as green transformation and digital economy, enhance people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual understanding, safeguard multilateralism, and advance the in-depth development of the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership. China’s NPC is ready to enhance exchanges with the Austrian parliament, share experiences in legislation and supervision, and foster a legal environment for practical cooperation. Zhao Leji also introduced the outline of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Markus Stotter said the Austrian side attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to expand cooperation in economy and trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, legislation and other fields, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission Kaja Kallas

On April 2, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission Kaja Kallas upon request.

Kallas presented her views on the Middle East situation, appreciating China’s active diplomatic mediation to de-escalate tensions, including the recent five-point initiative jointly released by China and Pakistan for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. The EU is not involved in the conflict but has been affected by its spillover, and hopes to see an early de-escalation and a return to dialogue and negotiations. The EU supports the United Nations’ humanitarian efforts and the protection of civilians and non-military targets, and will fully ensure the open and safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz. 

Wang Yi stated that the current international situation is unstable, and it is the shared responsibility of China and Europe to strengthen communication and uphold the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law. Wang Yi elaborated on China’s principled position on the Middle East situation, noting that the China-Pakistan five-point initiative reflects broad international consensus, with the core being cessation of hostilities, an early start to peace talks, protection of non-military targets, security of maritime passages, and upholding the primacy of the UN Charter. A ceasefire is a strong global demand and the fundamental solution to ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. All parties should build greater consensus and create necessary conditions toward this end. The actions of the UN Security Council should aim to ease tensions, not legitimize unauthorized military operations, and must not further intensify conflicts or trigger escalation. China stands ready to maintain communication and cooperation with the European side to promote an early end to hostilities and restore regional peace.

‌The two sides also exchanged views on China-Europe relations. Wang Yi stated that China’s development is an opportunity for Europe, and the challenges Europe faces do not stem from China; protectionism cannot enhance competitiveness, and decoupling from China means disconnecting from opportunity. He hoped the European side would establish a comprehensive and objective understanding of China, and safeguard the right direction of China-Europe relations. Kallas stated that the EU regards China as an important partner, does not seek to decouple from China, and looks forward to maintaining dialogue and communication with China.

Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul

On April 2, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul upon request. The two sides focused on exchanging views on the situation in the Middle East.

Johann David Wadephul stated that the current situation in Iran is severe and complex, posing a grave impact on global economic, energy and food security. Bringing the conflict to an end at an early date serves the common interests of the international community. Germany supports the United Nations in fulfilling its due role, attaches importance to the five-point initiative jointly released by China and Pakistan for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, and stands ready to maintain communication and cooperation with China.

Wang Yi briefed China's principled position, pointing out that as responsible major countries, China and Germany should uphold an objective and impartial stance, play a constructive role, and push for an early ceasefire to restore peace and stability in the region.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-Germany relations, and agreed to implement the outcomes of German Chancellor Merz's visit to China, strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, and strive for greater development of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership.

European Parliament Delegation Visits China

A nine-member delegation led by Anna Cavazzini, chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, visited Beijing and Shanghai from March 31 to April 2. Its members come from France, Germany, Denmark and several other European countries.

In Beijing, the delegation met with Chinese parliamentarians and regulators to study the local business model and its market supervision framework. They looked into the differences between the European and Chinese consumer protection systems, and possible areas for collaboration. They visited dominant e-commerce platforms Alibaba, Shein and Temu, EU company representatives and Chinese customs authorities.

This trip is an important opportunity to address shared digital and e-commerce challenges and foster fair China-EU competition. The visit  enhanced EU lawmakers' understanding of China's innovative tech sector and e-commerce dominance, while examining how EU rules are complied with in practice. 

China Rises to 3rd Place in European Patent Applications in 2025

Chinese companies and researchers filed a record 22,031 patent applications with the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2025, with China rising to third place for the first time, the EPO Technology Dashboard 2025 showed on 24 March.

The figure marked a year-on-year increase of 9.7 percent and accounted for 10.9 percent of all applications filed at the EPO, making China the fastest-growing country among the top 10 filing countries.

Digital communication was the field with the highest number of patent applications from China. Transport and semiconductors were the fastest-growing fields for Chinese filings, with both posting year-on-year growth of more than 30 percent.

In terms of company rankings, Chinese tech giant Huawei ranked second among all companies filing patent applications at the EPO in 2025, with 4,744 applications. Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) ranked 10th with 1,305 applications, marking the first time that two Chinese companies entered the top 10. In addition to Huawei and CATL, four other Chinese companies ranked among the top 50 applicants - Xiaomi, ZTE, OPPO and Tencent.

China, Europe Share Common Ground on Trade, Says Former Italian PM Gentiloni

Paolo Gentiloni, former prime minister of Italy - "For us and for China, trade is very important," he said, adding that both sides have a common interest in keeping global markets open and resisting the pull of protectionism, trade wars, and tariff escalation. He also called for keeping the World Trade Organization alive and functional as a mechanism for resolving trade disputes, describing it as an indispensable referee in an increasingly contested global economy.

Read the full text here

China, Pakistan Put Forward Five-Point Initiative on Restoring Peace, Stability in Gulf Region and Middle East

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met in Beijing on 31 March 2026 to review the situation in the Gulf and Middle East Region.

The two sides put forward the following:

I. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities.

II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible.

III. Security of nonmilitary targets. 

IV. Security of shipping lanes. 

V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. 

On  the European Parliament Delegation Visit to China

Bloomberg: Does the foreign ministry have any comment on the visit?

Mao Ning: Exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of China-EU relations. To our knowledge, the delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection begins its visit to China today at the invitation of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. We believe this visit will enhance exchange and cooperation between the two legislatures, deepen the European Parliament’s knowledge and understanding of China, and facilitate the sound and steady development of China-EU ties.

On the China-Pakistan Five-Point Initiative

CGTN: Can you share the consideration behind the initiative? What effect does China hope to achieve through the initiative?

Mao Ning: The initiative can be summed up in three words: cease, talk, and ensure. 

One month into the conflict, its spillover effect continues to spread, dealing an increasingly severe blow to regional and global peace and stability, and causing more extensive disruptions to the stability of global energy supply, unimpeded operation of industrial and supply chains, and global economic growth. This is not in the common interest of regional countries and the wider world. China and Pakistan, as important countries in the Global South, voiced a rational and just position in the hope of building up consensus and pooling stronger effort in the international community to contribute to easing the ongoing tense situation, and restoring peace and tranquility in the Gulf and Middle East region at an early date. The initiative is open and we welcome response and participation of all countries and international organizations.

China will continue to stay in close communication with Pakistan and relevant parties and play a constructive role in promoting the end of hostilities.

Global Exhibitors Drawn to 6th China International Consumer Products Expo

International exhibits will account for 65 percent of the total at the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo, up 20 percentage points from last year, a Chinese official said 30 March.

More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions will take part in the upcoming expo, which will be held in south China's Hainan Province from April 13 to 18.

Visa-free Policies Boost Inbound Travel, Lifting Tourism Economy

Daily border crossings nationwide during the Qingming Festival holiday from April 4 to April 6 are expected to exceed 2.3 million, up 11.1 percent year-on-year, the National Immigration Administration said on its official website.

The Qingming Festival holiday, a traditional time for returning home to honor ancestors, has long been a peak period for spring outings and enjoying the season. This year, the overlap of school spring breaks in multiple regions and a five-day holiday in Hong Kong and Macao is expected to further boost cross-boundary travel during the holiday.

Observers said that China's visa-friendly policies are gaining reciprocal responses from travelers, helping boost holiday spending in popular inbound destinations. Many regions have made upbeat projections for inbound tourist arrivals during the holiday.

Read the full text here

"Shopping in China" Becomes New Way for Foreign Visitors to Discover China

Foreign visitors are discovering China through its rich array of goods and diverse shopping experiences, from intricately designed creative cultural products and high-quality smart home appliances to convenient mobile payments and efficient departure tax refunds.

Refrigerator magnets shaped like museum artifacts, Spring Festival-themed T-shirts from theme parks, and building block sets modelled on Chinese engineering achievements from trendy toy stores have all proven popular with international visitors. Tech products are increasingly making the list as well, with foreign tourists snapping up drones and foldable smartphones in the country.

Sun Yeli, China's minister of culture and tourism, noted that inbound visitors' shopping lists are expanding rapidly, encompassing everything from smartphones, drones and VR headsets to cultural collectibles and designer toys. All are increasingly seen as must-have Chinese souvenirs.

Read the full text here

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) sets "good ambitions" for the country's scientific development and provides pathways to achieve them.

China has evolved from the "world's factory" into a global innovation hub, leading in areas such as renewable energy, green development, and AI, while benefiting countries worldwide.

🔹As peach blossoms grace the plateau of Lhasa and cherry blossoms adorn the Avenues de Mai of Brussels, spring's beauty bridges the distance in a shared symphony of pink.

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.

Cilck to subscribe. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or comments about this newsletter. 

                                                                                   Editor: SUN Jiachen