This edition brings you recent high-level exchanges, key developments in China, and interactions between China and Europe. Enjoy reading!

Top News 

President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

On the morning of May 20, President Xi Jinping held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two presidents agreed to further extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.

High-Level Events 

Han Zheng Attends the Opening Ceremony of Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit 2026 and Delivers Remarks

On May 18, 2026, Vice President Han Zheng attended the opening ceremony of the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit (GTIS) 2026 in Beijing and delivered remarks.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Holds the First Presentation Ceremony for the Outstanding Diplomat Medal

On May 18, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China held the First Presentation Ceremony for the Outstanding Diplomat Medal. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, attended the event and delivered remarks.

Wang Yi noted that diplomatic envoys serve as bridges for friendly exchanges between countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has established the Outstanding Diplomat Medal to honor ambassadors who have made important contributions to promoting friendship between China and other countries. We welcome Your Excellencies and colleagues to come back to China more often and get together with your old friends.

Wang Yi stated that China is a country that values peace, always meeting its responsibility for world peace and tranquility. China is a country that is open and inclusive, readily sharing its development opportunities with the world. China is a country that acts in good faith, consistently delivering on its commitments despite changing international dynamics. 

Wang Yi stressed that China is ready to join hands with all progressive forces to uphold our commitment to peace and development, pursue greater global solidarity, and create a bright future for humanity. 

Wang Yi Holds Talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popsoi

On May 21, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popsoi in Beijing.

Wang Yi stated that China and Moldova are friendly partners. The two sides have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and worked for mutual benefit, steadily advancing practical cooperation across various fields to the benefit of the two peoples. China cherishes the traditional friendship between China and Moldova and is ready to work with Moldova to continuously consolidate mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, inject impetus into the development of bilateral relations, promote well-being for the two peoples and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Wang Yi said that China is a responsible major country and unswervingly upholds the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, holding that all countries are equal regardless of their size. China appreciates Moldova’s correct position on issues concerning China’s core interests, supports Moldova in pursuing a development path that is chosen by its own people and suited to its national conditions, and welcomes Moldova in tapping its potential for deeper involvement in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. In a changing and turbulent world, the two sides should jointly implement the four major global initiatives and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Mihai Popsoi stated that Moldova attaches high importance to developing relations with China, admires China’s long history, culture and tremendous development achievements, and appreciates China’s leading role in international affairs. Moldova adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to strengthening mutually beneficial and win-win partnership with China, deepening cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, investment, culture and tourism, achieving greater progress in Moldova-China relations and delivering more benefits to the two peoples. Moldova is ready to maintain close coordination with China on multilateral stages such as the United Nations, jointly uphold multilateralism, uphold international rule of law, and promote international and regional peace and stability.

China in Brief

China Improves Departure Tax Refund Services 

The Ministry of Commerce and other authorities have issued a notice on further optimizing departure tax refund measures and expanding inbound consumption. The new policy package includes measures such as wider coverage of tax refund stores, random inspections for small-value refund applications, paperless processing and improved refund-upon-purchase services.

The latest policy package, described as the 2.0 version of China's departure tax refund policy, builds on last year's measures and focuses on making the process accessible, faster, more digital and standardized.

The move comes as China has seen growing momentum in inbound travel and shopping, supported by expanded visa-free policies, easier payment services, departure tax refund facilitation and the "Shop in China" campaign.

Tax authorities have also promoted the refund-upon-purchase model, under which travelers can receive cash refunds on the spot after buying goods, a practice that helps encourage spending.

Travelers who receive instant refunds after shopping will also be allowed to complete departure tax refund procedures at ports outside the place of purchase.

China International Cultural Industries Fair Opens in Shenzhen

The 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair opened on May 21 in Shenzhen. 

The five-day event, which highlights cultural industry development, has attracted 6,312 exhibitors both online and offline, with over 120,000 cultural products on display.

This year's event has, for the first time, set up a dedicated exhibition area for APEC economies, showcasing the Asia-Pacific region's achievements in cultural tourism. The region's specialty products, creative cultural products inspired by intangible cultural heritage, and regional delicacies are also on display.

Shenzhen is to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November this year.

Another newly established exhibition area focuses on cross-border e-commerce. It brings together dozens of relevant enterprises with the goal of facilitating cross-border trade in the cultural industry and providing channels for cultural products to reach international markets.

FM Spokesperson's Remarks

Q:  The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) decided to reject the so-called proposal on Taiwan. This has been the 10th year in a row that the WHA has rejected the so-called proposal concerning Taiwan. What’s your comment?

A: The WHA has rejected the so-called proposal on Taiwan for 10 consecutive years, which fully shows that the international commitment to the one-China principle is unshakable, and the authority of the UNGA Resolution 2758 is indisputable. The rejection of the proposal over the past decade shows that the DPP authorities’ “Taiwan independence” separatist stance is doomed to fail. It’s time for the DPP authorities to put to rest their political stunts for “Taiwan independence.” China will achieve complete reunification. Taiwan must return to the motherland.

China-Europe Interactions

The Chinese Mission to the EU Holds European Enterprises Roundtable——Briefing on China-EU Relations and Prospects for China-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation

On May 19, 2026, the Chinese Mission to the European Union held a European Enterprises Roundtable. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU, briefed participants on the development of China-EU relations and the prospects for China-EU economic and trade cooperation. He also engaged in in-depth discussions with representatives from 14 European business associations and enterprises. Minister Suo Peng, Minister Counsellor Chen Su, Minister Counsellor Wang Hailong, and others from the Mission attended the event.

Ambassador Cai Run noted that China-EU relations are currently at a critical stage of development. Situated at the eastern and western ends of the Eurasian continent, China and Europe have no fundamental clashes of interests or geopolitical conflicts. The two sides share far more consensus and cooperation than differences and competition. They are partners, not rivals. The essence of China-EU economic and trade cooperation lies in complementarity and mutual benefit. Despite various difficulties and challenges, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has maintained positive growth momentum, demonstrating the strong resilience and vitality of China-EU collaboration. China hopes the EU will work in the same direction with China, follow through the important consensus reached by leaders of both sides, properly manage economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation, and further deepen and expand economic and trade cooperation. China stands ready to work together with the European business community to seize opportunities, address challenges, and promote the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Representatives from the European business community stated that the EU and China are each other’s essential markets. The two sides need to strengthen dialogue and communication, enhance mutual understanding, seize cooperation opportunities, and properly handling differences and frictions. The European business community stands ready to contribute to the development of EU-China economic and trade cooperation.

MOFCOM Spokesperson's Remarks on China-EU Economic and Trade Relations

MOFCOM Spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a press briefing in response to media reports that the European Commission is expediting the development of a new trade tool to address so-called China's "overcapacity" issue.

If a trade surplus is labeled as "overcapacity," then would European exports such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, wine, and cosmetics also be considered as "overcapacity?" He asked.

He added that some countries are investigating the EU's "overcapacity" issues, and under such a circumstance, the EU should not adopt double standards.

"We urge the European side to face reality, return to the right track of dialogue and consultation, and take actions that truly benefit the development of China-EU economic and trade relations," He said.

China-Europe SMILE Satellite Mission Successfully Launched

The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), a joint mission between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the European Space Agency(ESA), was successfully launched on May 19 aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

The satellite was confirmed to have entered its planned orbit, with its solar arrays successfully deployed and systems operating normally, marking a sweeping success for the landmark collaboration in China-Europe space science.

SMILE marks China's first mission-level project with the ESA in space science exploration.

 The 12th Europe Forum 2026 · Brussels To Be Held

Focusing on the theme “Competition or Complementarity? Strategic Opportunities in EU–China AI Development,” the event, to be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, will be co-organized by the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), the EU-China Business Association, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU, the CEIBS AI and Management Innovation (AIMI) Research Center, the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute and ChinaEU, with a parallel sub-venue in Shanghai.

Weekly Quote 

Through the Lens

🔸 May 23 marks the 75th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Xizang. Take a moment to enjoy its stunning landscapes.

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: LI Mo