Latest news with #China-Europe
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Economic Watch: China's manufacturing hub enhances economic and trade exchanges with Europe
GUANGZHOU, July 28 (Xinhua) -- With scorching temperatures gripping much of the northern hemisphere, demand for cooling appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and fans has soared across Europe. This surge is being felt thousands of miles away in Shunde District of Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, often dubbed the "home appliance capital of China." In the first half of this year alone, Shunde saw a significant rise in exports of home appliances, with an average of 600 containers packed with such appliances leaving the district each day. "This is a golden opportunity for us to secure orders and expand into new markets," said Li Huihua, director of the international logistics customs and documentation center at Midea Group, one of China's leading home appliance manufacturers. "We tailor our product development and sales strategies to meet the European Union's standards for energy efficiency and smart features," he added. "For example, our air conditioners with no-wind sensation, which use AI technology to detect body position and adjust airflow automatically, have gained strong popularity among overseas customers," Li explained. This year, Guangdong Midea Refrigeration Equipment Co., Ltd. has exported nearly 10 billion yuan worth of home appliances, according to the company. In addition to traditional home appliances, a growing range of made-in-China products is gaining traction in the European market. Among them are electric bicycles from Guangzhou Sameway Electric Bicycle Co., Ltd., which feature motors and lithium batteries that provide faster speeds than standard bicycles while remaining lighter than traditional electric models. "In recent years, cycling has gained popularity across Europe, but many routes have steep slopes," said Hou Dezhi, general manager of the company. "After conducting in-depth market research overseas, we developed lithium-powered mountain bikes, with an annual production capacity of 80,000 units." In the first half of this year, the company exported lithium-powered mountain bikes and related products worth nearly 28 million yuan (about 3.92 million U.S. dollars) to Europe, marking a 35.6 percent year-on-year increase. Guangzhou Sameway Electric Bicycle Co., Ltd. is actively expanding its cross-border e-commerce operations and has established overseas warehouses in Poland, Germany and other countries, with a total inventory valued at over 80 million yuan. According to an official from Huadu Customs in Guangzhou, leveraging these overseas warehouses enables European consumers to place online orders and receive their purchases within 48 hours, as goods are shipped directly from local inventory. The growing popularity of products from Guangdong in Europe is underpinned by strengthening China-Europe ties, a well-developed international logistics network, and increasingly diversified economic and trade cooperation. In the first half of this year, Guangzhou Customs oversaw 175 China-Europe freight trains, including dedicated trains for automobiles and home appliances, shipping 16,000 TEUs totaling 88,000 tonnes and valued at 4.13 billion yuan. At present, the China-Europe freight train from Guangzhou International Port has formed a network of 18 routes, including 13 outbound and five inbound, covering 20 countries in Asia and Europe, with exported goods spanning automobiles, home appliances, clothing, daily necessities, and more. As one of China's three major international aviation hubs, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has launched more than 10 direct flights to European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Helsinki. In the first half of this year, customs at the airport supervised exports to the European Union worth over 27.5 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 8 percent. China's continued efforts to expand opening up, combined with deepening cooperation between Chinese and European companies, have helped drive this growing wave of trade. For many European businesses, the Chinese market is indispensable. The German TÜV Rheinland Group, a leading independent testing, inspection and certification organization, generates around 30 percent of its global revenue from China. The group has provided services to over 300,000 local enterprises, helping "Made in China" products gain smooth access to international markets and playing a role of bridge in promoting China's foreign trade economy. Xia Bo, president of TÜV Rheinland Greater China, noted that as China's industrial innovation and technological capabilities continue to grow, more Chinese standards are expected to be elevated to international standards within the next five to ten years, helping China transition from a follower and peer to a global leader. As Chinese companies accelerate their global expansion, TÜV Rheinland is also continuously upgrading its services to support the internationalization needs of Chinese businesses. Xia added that economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe are becoming increasingly close and intertwined. The company's German headquarters now hosts visiting Chinese government and business delegations almost every week, exploring new avenues for cooperation. Such exchanges, he noted, are particularly insightful for both sides, especially in emerging technological fields. According to the "2024 Business Confidence Survey Report" published by the European Chamber of Commerce in China, 73 percent of respondents are willing to expand their current operations in south China, and 61 percent believe that doing business in south China is relatively easy. "The South China Chapter has over 250 member companies, all of which highly praise the region's business environment," said Klaus Zenkel, vice president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China and chairman of the European Chamber South China Chapter, who has lived in Guangdong for more than 20 years. Recently, Zenkel took part in the Shenzhen-EU SME Government-Business Exchange Meeting alongside dozens of European SMEs' representatives. He noted that European companies across various industries are growing in tandem with the Chinese market. Shenzhen, renowned for its dynamic private economy and thriving small and medium-sized enterprises, boasts a complete industrial chain, Zenkel said, adding that collaboration between European SMEs and Shenzhen's AI companies is set to accelerate rapid technological iteration and application. In the first half of this year, the total import and export value of Guangdong, one of China's major manufacturing hubs, with the European Union reached 542.43 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.2 percent. The exports amounted to 429.85 billion yuan, up 5.7 percent year on year, while imports totaled 112.58 billion yuan, up 13.1 percent year on year, according to local customs.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
CGTN: President Xi Jinping Calls On China, EU to Provide More Stability, Certainty for World
BEIJING, July 28 (Bernama) -- Fifty years ago, China-Europe trade was a trickle. Now, as the two sides mark half a century of ties, a single day's trade equals what they exchanged in the entire year when relations were first established. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China-EU relations have come to another critical juncture in history.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China, EU need to make the right choice as ‘two big guys' on world stage, says Xi Jinping
At a meeting in Beijing recently, President Xi Jinping urged European leaders to 'make the right strategic choice' as the world grapples with profound changes. He made the remarks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who are in Beijing for a summit that some Chinese analysts expect to be tone-setting for China-EU relations. 'Amid the accelerating transformation unseen in a century and an international landscape fraught with turbulence and transformation, China and Europe must once again demonstrate vision and responsibility by making the right strategic choices that meet people's expectations and stand the test of history,' Xi said. The first face-to-face EU-China summit since December 2023 convenes as the two sides mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, though celebrations are tempered by escalating trade disputes. Beijing is seeking to present itself as a stable alternative partner for Europe, particularly as US President Donald Trump has slapped steep tariffs on the 27-nation bloc. He added that the two sides should reinforce their partnership as a cornerstone in bilateral ties, saying that the West should judge China in a correct way, according to a Chinese statement released after his meeting with senior EU officials. 'If China is measured by the paths taken by the West, perceptions of China will inevitably be skewed,' Xi said, adding that the challenges Europe was facing 'were not from China'. 'It is our hope that Europe will likewise respect China's chosen development path and political system, duly acknowledge China's core interests and major concerns, and support China's pursuit of development and prosperity.' Xi also stressed the autonomy of China-EU relations, which he said were 'not targeted at, dependent on, nor subject to any third party'. 'The two sides should enhance strategic communication, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and foster a correct perception of each other,' the Chinese leader said. Xi described China and the European Union as 'two big guys' in the world, adding that they should combine their efforts to 'firmly grasp the right direction of China-Europe relations and work together to usher in an even brighter next 50 years'. 'China and the EU must once again demonstrate foresight and responsibility, making strategic choices that meet the expectations of their peoples and stand the test of history.' In his opening remarks, Costa reaffirmed that the EU was committed to 'deepening our bilateral partnership, making concrete progress in addressing concerns with respect, goodwill and honesty and working together to uphold multilateralism'. However, he added that the two sides needed 'concrete progress' to address challenges in trade and the economy, according to an official transcript. 'We need concrete progress on issues related to trade and economy. We both want our relationship to be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial,' he said. Costa also raised the hope of reaching a deal with China on climate change after Thursday's meeting. 'Our cooperation on climate change is an important example, and I look forward, as a result of today's summit, to a strong joint political message ahead of Cop30 in Brazil,' he said. In her remarks, von der Leyen referred to the growing imbalances and declared that the relationship was at an 'inflection point'. 'Rebalancing our bilateral relationship is essential. Because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial,' von der Leyen said, adding that it was 'vital' for both China and Europe to acknowledge respective concerns so as to come forward with real solutions. She also reaffirmed the EU's strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, the climate change treaty Trump ordered the US to quit when he returned to the White House in January. After a meeting with Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon, the two sides released a joint statement on climate change, which is widely seen as one of the few areas where the two sides might make progress. While China and the EU agreed that they would lead global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with pledges of cooperation in green technologies, the seven-point document offered no concrete actions or goals. Still, it could offer a much-needed confidence boost in Beijing and Brussels' ability to cut their emissions further before the Cop30 UN climate change summit in Brazil in November. 'Joining forces here will send a powerful message to the world,' von der Leyen said about climate change cooperation during the meeting with Li. In the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi also tried to ease concerns on the trade imbalance but said that the European Union's push to 'reduce dependence' on China should not undermine bilateral cooperation. 'The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is complementary advantages and mutual benefit and it should be, and is entirely possible to achieve, a dynamic balance in the course of development.' Despite their shared concerns over Trump's unpredictable and aggressive tariff and security policies, tensions have been mounting between China and the EU on areas from trade to security. The EU, which has long complained about China's lack of progress to ensure a level playing field for a balanced economic and trade relationship, has increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to as much as 45 per cent for state-subsidised Chinese manufacturers. Meanwhile, China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports – introduced during the trade war with the US – have added to the frustration in Europe as industries have faced an 'alarming situation' due to a shortage of the minerals, which are essential to making everything from EVs to military tanks and aircraft. China's deep ties with Russia also cast a shadow, with senior officials in Brussels, including von der Leyen, openly accusing Beijing of supporting Moscow in its prolonged war in Ukraine. In a move that touched a nerve in Europe, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU officials earlier this month that Beijing did not want to see Moscow lose the war because it feared the US could then shift more attention to China. While expectations for a breakthrough in Thursday's meeting have been low, there is hope that the talks could be a tone-setting moment for China-EU relations. Earlier on Thursday, von der Leyen said on social media that Thursday's summit was 'the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship'. 'I'm convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation. One that can define the next 50 years of our relations,' she wrote. Cui Hongjian, head of European Union studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said Beijing and Brussels should use the occasion to establish a shared understanding of their 50-year relationship and outline guiding principles to drive the relationship forward. 'It is hoped that Beijing and Brussels can come up with better and pragmatic ways to manage the interplay of competition and cooperation alongside the bilateral relationship – whether in trade or geopolitical differences – and turn competition into new opportunities for collaboration,' he said. 'I believe this highest level engagement will mark the start of a new phase in bilateral ties, where they must work to find a mutually acceptable way to engage meaningfully.' The meeting offers both China and the European Union a valuable opportunity to understand the concerns and priorities of each side, according to Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 'China-EU relations are still undergoing changes, and we should view them objectively. They have cooperation and competition at the same time, but both sides have the willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiate,' Feng said. Cui, a former Chinese diplomat, said the two sides should 'adjust their previous approaches to communication and cooperation'. Noting the cancellation of a high-level EU-China economic and trade dialogue earlier this year, Cui said there had been a gap in terms of each side's goal for the talks, with Brussels seeking tangible outcomes and Beijing viewing the dialogue as a platform for talks, cooperation and management of competition. 'If high-level dialogues are no longer Europe's preferred approach, the critical question is whether China and the EU can identify a mutually acceptable framework to address their persistent challenges.' Observers in Europe said they were less optimistic about the future of bilateral relations. Abigael Vasselier, director of policy and European affairs at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, said on Monday that Europe was entering the summit 'with no illusion that it is going to be a deal-making moment', given that there was a mismatch over various disputes. She said she expected the summit would not change the long-term course of EU-China ties, which were deeply troubled by structural issues. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
CGTN: President Xi Jinping calls on China, EU to provide more stability, certainty for world
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Union leaders during their visit to Beijing for the 25th China-EU Summit on Thursday. CGTN published an article exploring China-EU relations in two-way trade and investment, emphasizing the need for both sides to embrace multilateralism, openness and cooperation to bring greater stability and certainty to the world. BEIJING, July 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fifty years ago, China-Europe trade was a trickle. Now, as the two sides mark half a century of ties, a single day's trade equals what they exchanged in the entire year when relations were first established.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
CGTN: President Xi Jinping calls on China, EU to provide more stability, certainty for world
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Union leaders during their visit to Beijing for the 25th China-EU Summit on Thursday. CGTN published an article exploring China-EU relations in two-way trade and investment, emphasizing the need for both sides to embrace multilateralism, openness and cooperation to bring greater stability and certainty to the world. BEIJING, July 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fifty years ago, China-Europe trade was a trickle. Now, as the two sides mark half a century of ties, a single day's trade equals what they exchanged in the entire year when relations were first established. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China-EU relations have come to another critical juncture in history. There are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between China and the EU, Xi told European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 'The current challenges facing the EU do not come from China,' he said, adding that the fundamentals and prevailing trend of China-EU relations featuring cooperation over competition and consensus over differences have remained constant. Xi put forward three proposals for the future of China-EU relations: both sides should uphold mutual respect and consolidate the positioning of their relations as partnership, embrace openness and cooperation while properly managing differences and frictions, and practice multilateralism and uphold international rules and order. Trade and investment At Thursday's meeting, the Chinese president said the China-EU economic and trade relationship is by nature complementary and mutually beneficial and can indeed achieve dynamic equilibrium through development. China's high-quality development and opening up will provide new opportunities and potentials for China-EU cooperation, Xi noted, calling on both sides to strengthen green and digital partnership and boost mutual investment and cooperation. In 2024, trade between China and the EU soared to $785.8 billion, an increase of over 300 times compared to when diplomatic relations began in 1975, according to China's customs authorities. Two-way investment flows have also shown sustained growth in recent years, indicating a positive trend. Chinese battery manufacturer CALB, for instance, is building a $2.2-billion plant in Sines, Portugal, expected to create 1,800 jobs. Xi expressed hope that the EU can remain open in the trade and investment market, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, and foster a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the EU. At the 25th China-EU summit on Thursday, both sides agreed to forge an 'upgraded version' of the China-EU export control dialogue mechanism, have timely communication on each other's concerns and jointly keep the industrial and supply chains between China and Europe stable and unimpeded. Multilateralism Xi said China has always viewed and developed China-EU relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, regarded the EU as an important pole in a multipolar world and consistently supported European integration and the strategic autonomy of the EU. China-EU relations are not targeted at, subjugated to, or controlled by any third party, he said, calling on both sides to deepen strategic communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and foster a correct perception of each other. Pascal Lamy, the former European commissioner for trade, told CGTN that despite differences, China and the EU share crucial common ground in defending multilateralism and cooperating on global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and ocean protection. Among the outcomes of Thursday's summit, leaders of China and the EU issued a joint statement on climate change, highlighting their shared commitment to addressing climate change and pursuing green development. Xi underscored the importance of China and the EU as constructive forces for multilateralism, openness and cooperation, and called on both sides to provide more stability and certainty to the world.
