Good morning, everyone! I would like to start by thanking the organizers for inviting me to this important event. I would also like to congratulate the organizers on gathering such a distinguished assembly of renowned personalities and accomplished business leaders both from China and Europe.
Economic cooperation and trade are the bedrock of the China-EU relationship, for which all of you are participants and contributors. Whether we can have a healthy China-EU relationship depends to a large extent on what you do and what you say.
As ambassador to the EU, my number one responsibility is to expand and deepen the relationship between China and the EU and its member states, in particular, the economic ties between the two sides. As I am new on my job, what I want to do at this stage is to listen. I want to listen to your views, your opinions, even your criticism or complaints. Of course, what I want to listen to the most are your suggestions and recommendations on how to overcome the current difficulties facing China-EU relationship and move things forward. But before that, I would like to make a few brief points by way of opening remarks.
First, the world is undergoing profound changes. And the year 2022 has witnessed a further acceleration of these changes. Armed conflicts have erupted. The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging on. Inflation is going up and the energy crisis sees no signs of abating. As a result, the global economy is in a particularly bad shape. Under such circumstances, it’s all the more important for China and the EU, the world’s two major forces, markets and civilizations, to join hands in overcoming the challenges in this turbulent world.
Secondly, the most important message from the 20th CPC National Congress is the continuity and stability of China’s internal and external policies. Going forward, China will press ahead with the reform of its socialist market economy, promote high-standard opening up, accelerate efforts to foster a new development pattern, and eventually achieve development with higher quality. Looking into the future, the fundamentals sustaining China’s sound economic growth remain unchanged. Our determination to pursue high-standard opening up remains unchanged, so is the bright prospect of China-EU business cooperation.
Thirdly, there is high-level political support for an enhanced China-EU relationship. Early this month, I had the honor to attend in Beijing President Xi Jinping’s meeting with President Michel of the European Council. During their meeting, President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to upholding its comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU. He also expressed the hope that the EU could become an important partner in China’s pursuit of Chinese modernization and share the opportunities brought by China’s huge market and its efforts to advance institutional opening up and deepen international cooperation. The two leaders had in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues and reached important agreement on continued coordination and cooperation between the two sides, thus setting a clear direction for the future of China-EU relations.
Fourthly, economic cooperation and trade between China and the EU are mutually beneficial. China has long been a key trading partner of the EU and a major growth market for its companies. Expanding economic ties with China is obviously in the overall interest of Europe. But these days, we keep hearing different voices. Some call for reducing dependence on China, others even advocate restricting normal economic, trade and investment ties, which is of course neither desirable nor feasible.
After decades of economic cooperation and trade based on market principles, our two economies are closely intertwined, and have formed a symbiotic relationship. Pulling out from each other’s market is not going to be easy, and regaining one’s way back can be even harder. We understand Europe’s concerns about its economic resilience. But to let political, especially ideological-related factors hinder our normal business cooperation is not the right way forward.
A look at China’s reform and opening-up process tells us that competition is the fountain of vitality. China is not afraid of competition, as long as it is fair. We support settling differences through consultation and in accordance with the rules. However, we regret to see not all countries are on the same page as we are. Some, conveniently and willfully citing security concerns, are in essence practicing protectionism and decoupling. China and the EU should join hands in resisting such negative trends, and maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains.
In conclusion, allow me to say that looking ahead into the new era, economic cooperation and trade between China and the EU are blessed with new opportunities. But for them to deliver, support and contribution from all of us will be needed. I sincerely hope that friends from the business community will maintain the usual mindset of openness and cooperation, and continue to serve as a bridge of understanding and win-win cooperation in China-EU relations.