Chinese and European leaders meet to ＂stabilize relations＂
[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The Supreme Leader of president, China held talks with visiting European Council President Michel in the Great Hall of the People on December 1. The Supreme Leader pointed out that the more turbulent the international situation, the more prominent the global challenges, and the more prominent the world significance of China-EU relations. China will continue to view and develop China-EU relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to strengthen strategic communication and coordination with the European side to promote a stable and far-reaching comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU. Michelle is the first EU leader to visit China after The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China（CPC）. He said that the EU cherishes the opportunity to meet face to face with China at the highest level soon after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and is willing to promote dialogue and cooperation with China on important issues in all aspects of EU-China relations and properly handle differences in the spirit of mutual respect and frankness. This is Michelle’s first visit to China since she became president of the European Council in December 2019. Many media have noticed that there have been frequent interactions between China and Europe recently. In addition to German Chancellor Angela Scholz’s visit to China, many European leaders met offline with the Chairman of the Supreme Leader during the G20 Summit. Experts from China interviewed by Global Times on the 1st believe that under the trend of Europe’s deep energy crisis and the outflow of European manufacturing enterprises, European high-level officials seem to have reached a certain consensus: they hope to keep in touch with China, clarify misunderstandings through dialogue, seek communication and promote mutual understanding.
"A frank and sincere conversation"
During the talks with Michelle, the Supreme Leader said: "Comrade Jiang Zemin died in Shanghai yesterday due to ineffective medical treatment. During his tenure as the leader of China countries, Comrade Jiang Zemin attached great importance to and cared about the development of China-EU relations. He visited European countries many times and maintained close contacts with the leaders of the European Union and European countries, which promoted the establishment of the China-EU leaders’ meeting mechanism and promoted dialogue and cooperation between the two sides in various fields. We will inherit his legacy and continue to consolidate and develop China-EU relations. "
米歇尔祝贺最高领袖再次连任中共中央总书记，代表欧盟对江泽民同志因病逝世表示沉痛哀悼。
最高领袖说，米歇尔主席代表欧盟全体成员国在中共二十大结束后不久访华，体现了欧盟发展对华关系的良好意愿。谈到中欧关系发展，最高领袖提出四点看法：一是要秉持正确认知。中欧之间没有根本战略分歧和冲突。中方不想称王称霸，从不搞、今后也不会搞制度输出。二是要妥善管控分歧。中欧历史文化、发展水平、意识形态存在差异，双方在一些问题上看法不同很正常，应该以建设性态度保持沟通协商，关键是尊重彼此重大关切和核心利益，特别是尊重主权、独立、领土完整，不干涉对方内政，共同维护中欧关系的政治基础。三是要开展更高水平合作。欧洲是中国快速发展的重要伙伴，也是受益者。中国将实行高水平对外开放，加快构建新发展格局，欢迎欧方继续参与、继续共赢。四是要加强国际协调合作。中欧都主张维护以联合国为核心的国际体系，可以共同践行真正的多边主义，合力应对挑战，共同维护世界和平与发展。
According to the European News Network, Michelle’s spokesperson said that the meeting between the two lasted about three hours and was "a frank and sincere dialogue." Michelle wrote on Twitter that "frankly discussing all aspects of bilateral relations with China is the only way ahead." Michelle also mentioned that China is willing to hold a China-EU human rights dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
"China and president oppose all forms of ‘ New Cold War ’ 。” On the 1st, DPA paid attention to the four points put forward by the Chairman of the Supreme Leader. According to the report, China president hopes that EU institutions and member states will establish an objective and correct understanding of China, adhere to peaceful coexistence and win-win policy towards China, and transcend cold war mentality and ideological opposition and institutional confrontation.
"The four points put forward by the Chairman of the Supreme Leader on the development of China-EU relations show the importance of developing China-EU relations." Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times reporter on the 1 ST that Michelle, as the president of the European Council, represents the EU as a whole. His current visit to China also reflects the mainstream view and rational voice that most EU countries want to get in touch with China under the complicated geopolitical and economic environment.
The Associated Press said on the 1st that Chinese and European leaders also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis that day. During the talks, when the Supreme Leader expounded China’s principled position, he pointed out that there is an old saying in China that "the city gate is on fire and the fish in the pool are harmed". Resolving the Ukrainian crisis through political means is in the best interests of Europe and the common interests of all countries in Asia and Europe. Under the current situation, it is necessary to avoid the escalation of the crisis, persist in persuading and promoting talks, control the spillover effects of the crisis, and be alert to the camp’s confrontation with risks.
The EU is willing to continue to push forward the process of EU-China investment agreement with China.
Michelle’s visit to China is highly concerned by western media. CNN)1 said on the 1st that many things have changed since the EU leaders visited China four years ago. The COVID-19 outbreak, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the tit-for-tat sanctions between China and European parliamentarians have strained relations between the two sides. However, Michelle’s visit provides a "timely opportunity" for Europe and China to contact on issues of "common concern". Euronews TV said on the 1st that the goal of Michelle’s visit is to explore ways to strengthen cooperation with China on key issues and add new impetus to EU-China relations. EU officials told the Associated Press that Michelle’s visit will last for one day, but he will express the EU’s desire to increase exports to China.
As European officials said, Michelle mentioned in her talks with the Chairman of the Supreme Leader that the European side is willing to continue to advance the process of EU-China investment agreement with China, enhance the stability and mutual trust of the supply chain, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe and China in various fields.
Data show that in the first 10 months of this year, the bilateral trade volume between China and the EU reached US$ 711.4 billion, up 6.3% year-on-year. CNN1 reported on the 1st that many top European companies are eager to invest in the world’s second largest economy. Castro, deputy director of the European Policy Center, told CNN Financial Channel that Europe is not seeking to "decouple" from the lucrative China market. Adam Dunnett, secretary-general of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, also said in an interview with the media that "European companies are doing very well here (China) and the long-term prospects are very positive."
"China attaches great importance to developing relations with Europe and is committed to deepening mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between the two sides, maintaining the stability and smoothness of the global industrial chain supply chain and maintaining international economic and trade rules and order." On the 1st, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting stressed that "this is a balanced, high-level, mutually beneficial and win-win agreement, which is beneficial to China, the EU and the world. China and the EU should work together to promote the signing and entry into force of the agreement and benefit the enterprises and people of both sides at an early date. "
Zhao Chen, a researcher at the European Institute of China Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times reporter on the 1st that it can be seen that the actual decision-making or executive departments in Brussels still have a strong will to push forward the approval process in China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. However, due to the obstruction of ideology and the European Parliament, as well as the negative impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the ratification of the agreement is not optimistic in the short term. However, in the long run, China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment is expected to recover.
Zhao Chen believes that on economic and trade issues, Chairman Supreme Leader emphasized the mutual benefit of economic globalization and China-EU economic and trade relations, encouraged more European enterprises to invest in China, and at the same time raised China’s concern, that is, opposed to politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade scientific and technological exchanges, and hoped that the EU would eliminate interference and provide a fair and transparent business environment for China enterprises.
"EU adheres to strategic autonomy"
During the talks on the 1st, Michelle particularly emphasized that the EU adheres to strategic autonomy and is committed to strengthening its own capacity building and promoting European integration. The EU adheres to the one-China policy, respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will not interfere in China’s internal affairs. The EU is willing to be a reliable and predictable partner of China. The EU is willing to conduct high-level exchanges with China in the next stage, reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments by strengthening direct dialogue and cooperation, strengthen communication and cooperation, and better cope with global challenges such as energy crisis, climate change and public health.
Some western media have noticed that while Michelle is visiting China, French President Macron is holding talks with US President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., to show their cards on the issue of the Inflation Reduction Bill. And the EU’s second foreign policy official — — Sannino, Secretary-General of the EU External Action Agency, will hold a biannual dialogue with US Deputy Secretary of State Sherman on China. Stech, an expert in German think tank Merics, thinks that this may even give people the impression that transatlantic relations are cracked.
In recent weeks, some European governments are attacking the US economy and China policy. The South China Morning Post quoted a diplomat as saying that most EU countries "don’t want to be forced to make a choice" and "don’t want the world to split into two camps".
Xinhua, director of the European Union Research Center of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times reporter on the 1st that since the first half of this year, Biden’s government has frequently sent all kinds of goodwill signals to Europe, hoping to win over Europe to jointly implement some kind of strategic cooperation with China and tie Europe to the "chariot" of strategic competition between the United States and China. However, the continuous contact between Europe and China shows that although Europe is inevitably dependent on the United States and NATO for security, its determination to achieve strategic autonomy in other fields, especially in the economy, is increasing.
It is reported that after Michelle, many European leaders, such as Italian Prime Minister meloni and French President Macron, plan or are planning to visit China.
[Special correspondent of Global Times in France and Germany Yu Chaofan Zhao Dong Global Times reporter Zhao Juekun Fan Anqi Wang Yi Liu Zhi]