Don't let noise interfere with the main theme of China Europe cooperation
Recently, some EU politicians have claimed that "the trade relationship between China and Europe is very unbalanced, China has a huge trade surplus, and China's market openness is not commensurate with the EU." They have also solemnly urged China to reduce "trade barriers.". This statement clearly distorts and deviates from the objective fact of mutual benefit and win-win in China Europe's economic and trade.
China never deliberately pursues a trade surplus. The trade surplus between China and Europe is an objective result of the combined effects of industrial structure, industrial division of labor, trade methods, and external factors. For a long time, China and the EU have been important trading partners with strong industrial complementarity. The EU has always been China's largest source of technology introduction, and the EU market also needs goods and services from China. After years of development, China and Europe have formed a strong economic symbiotic relationship, which is not only in line with market development laws, but also in line with the common interests of both sides.
The noise from individual EU politicians cannot interfere with the main theme of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and Europe. In recent years, China and Europe have continuously deepened mutually beneficial cooperation and made the cake of benefits bigger. In 2022, the trade volume between China and the European Union reached 847.3 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%, which means that the average trade volume between China and Europe exceeds 1.6 million US dollars per minute. As of now, the China Europe freight train has operated over 73000 trains over the years, transporting 6.9 million TEUs and reaching 216 cities in 25 European countries, playing a positive supporting role in promoting economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe and maintaining the stability of the industrial and supply chains.
Most European companies in China have benefited greatly. Since the beginning of this year, many executives from multinational corporations have visited China intensively, inspecting and visiting factory parks, and actively participating in major economic and trade forums. They have taken practical actions to have a positive outlook on China and to strengthen China. In April, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus signed a "super large order" in China, which will purchase 160 aerial passenger and civilian aircraft and expand its assembly business in China. Shi Minglun, CEO of Swire Group, said that Chinese path to modernization has provided huge development space for multinational enterprises.
Individual EU politicians deviate from the main theme of China Europe cooperation and advocate for the so-called "trade imbalance" theory, but in order to shift responsibility and gain political capital. In recent years, individual politicians in the European Union have set restrictions on high-tech exports to China, disregarding the economic interests of European countries. This has led to a lack of attractiveness of European products to the Chinese market, resulting in a trade deficit between the EU and China. If the European side really wants to resolve trade conflicts, it should lift export restrictions on China instead of blaming others.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union. As the two major forces, markets, and civilizations of the world, China Europe relations are related to the well-being of both sides, as well as global stability and prosperity. Currently, the world pattern is undergoing profound evolution, with an increase in uncertain and unpredictable factors. In this context, China and Europe should focus more on cooperation and mutual benefit. Looking towards the future, China is willing to work with Europe to consolidate the positive development momentum of China Europe relations, continuously enrich and expand the connotation of China Europe cooperation, and inject more certainty and stability into the ever-changing and intertwined international situation.
