China, EU committed to return to win-win cooperation

For more than a month, leaders and dignitaries of many European countries have visited China intensively, and high-level Chinese officials have also visited Europe intensively recently in bid to strengthen mutually beneficial relationship.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Qin Gang recently concluded his first trip to Europe since taking office, visiting Germany, France and Norway respectively. At the last stop in Norway, he said that through this visit, he deeply felt the positive willingness of the European side to strengthen communication and coordination with China and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the same time, for the sustainable and stable development of China-EU relations, three points need to be adhered to: first, adhere to an inclusive world view; second, adhere to a progressive historical view; third, adhere to a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation view.

Since November last year, European leaders and highlevel leaders have generally emphasized that they do not seek to “decouple” from China, but they have also continued to propose “de-risking” China. In this regard, Qin Gang pointed out during his visit to Europe that China is Europe’s partner in dealing with risks, and what China exports to Europe and the world is insurance rather than risks. He called on China and the EU to unanimously oppose “decoupling and broken chains” and jointly adhere to the correct direction of economic globalization. He also urged China and the EU to jointly oppose the “new cold war” and take the lead in promoting coordination and positive interaction among major powers.

China always views its relations with Europe from a strategic height and long-term perspective. China sees Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and follows a Europe policy featuring stability and continuity. While appreciating the EU’s statement of not subscribe ing to zero-sum game, the EU’s perception of China — the triptych of rival, partner and competitor — as self-contradictory. In fact, China and Europe have broad common interests with cooperation and consensus far surpassing competition and disagreements. China hopes the European side will not be biased by ideological difference, rise above external disruption, uphold strategic autonomy, form its independent and objective perception of China, and adopt a positive and rational China policy. This best serves its interests. As the Chinese side has stressed repeatedly, the “derisking” rhetoric is based on a false narrative. China-Europe economic and trade cooperation enjoys a sound foundation, fruitful outcomes and enormous potential. The dependencies are mutual and our cooperation is mutually beneficial. China can be an important partner for the EU in the face of risks and challenges. We hope the European side will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies and avoid politicizing economic and trade issues or approaching them from an untenable security angle. In a world of profound changes and fluid international landscape, the global significance and strategic influence of relations between China and Europe, two constructive forces and sources of stability, has become even more pronounced. China and Europe need to keep an open mind and respect and support the development paths independently chosen by the people of all countries around the world. Both sides need to view history correctly and progressively, jointly reject a new

Group photo of President Xi and Presidents of the five Central Asian countries

before. Central Asia is at a crossroads connecting the East and West, the South and North.

The world needs a stable Central Asia. The sovereignty, security, independence and territorial integrity of Central Asian countries must be upheld; their people’s choice of development paths must be respected; and their efforts for peace, harmony and tranquility must be supported.

The world needs a prosperous Central Asia. A dynamic and prospering Central Asia will help people in the region achieve their aspiration for a better life. It will also lend strong impetus to global economic recovery.

The world needs a harmonious Central Asia. Solidarity, inclusiveness, and harmony are the pursuits of the Central Asian people. No one has the right to sow discord or stoke confrontation in the region, let alone seek selfish political interests.

The world needs an interconnected Central Asia. Central Asia has the right foundation, condition and capability to become an important connectivity hub of Eurasia and make unique contribution to the trading of goods, the interplay of civilizations and the development of science and technology in the world.

President Xi underscored that this Summit has created a new platform and opened up new prospects for China-Central Asia cooperation. China would take this as an opportunity to step up coordination with all parties for good planning, development and progress of ChinaCentral Asia cooperation.

Chinese economy stabilises, rebounds in Q1 2023

Since the beginning of this year, all regions and government departments have thoroughly implemented the decisions and plans of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, giving priority to stability, sought progress while maintaining stability, promoted highquality development, and made great efforts to ensure steady growth, employment, and prices.

China has adopted proactive and effective macro policies, and made steady and quick shifts in terms of epidemic prevention and control. Work and life have been returning to normal at a faster pace, production and demand have stabilized and rebounded, jobs and prices have become basically stable, business expectations have significantly improved, positive factors have been cumulatively increasing, and the economy has gotten off to a good start. The main features are as follows.

First, economic growth has stabilized and rebounded. In the first quarter, GDP grew by 4.5% year on year, 1.6 percentage points higher than that of the fourth quarter of last year and 2.2% up from the previous quarter. It has grown faster than in the past. Agriculture has maintained steady growth. Animal husbandry has grown steadily, and agricultural production has remained stable. In the first quarter, the value added of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries increased by 3.8% year on year, and the output of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry meat increased by 2.5%. Industrial production has recovered steadily. In the first quarter, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 3% year on year, 0.3 percentage points higher than that in the fourth quarter of last year. The service sector has witnessed a marked rebound in growth