Xi says there is no such thing as ‘China’s excess capacity’

Whether viewed from the perspective of comparative advantage or global market demand, there is no such thing as “China’s overcapacity problem,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Monday.

Xi made the comments during a trilateral meeting between China, France and the EU with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Elysee Palace.

China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective, and views Europe as an important dimension in its diplomacy among major countries with Chinese characteristics and an important partner on its path to Chinese modernization, Xi said.

It is hoped that China-France and China-EU relations will strengthen each other and flourish together, Xi said.

As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, China and the EU, as two important forces, should continue to view each other as partners, remain committed to dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust and strategic consensus build up. , carry out strategic coordination, work towards steady and healthy growth of China-EU relations, and continue to make new contributions to world peace and development, Xi said.

China-EU relations enjoy strong endogenous driving force and bright development prospects, and this relationship is not third-party oriented, nor should it be dependent on or dictated by a third party, Xi said.

Xi said he hopes the EU institutions develop the right perception of China and adopt a positive China policy.

The two sides should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, safeguard the political basis of their ties and uphold basic norms of international relations, Xi said.

China and the EU should make good preparations for a new round of China-EU Summit and high-level dialogues in the strategic, economic and trade, green and digital fields, and promote partnership in industrial and supply chains with stability and mutual trust, Xi said.

It is important to make good use of China’s visa waiver policy for European countries and relevant arrangements to facilitate travel for foreign visitors, and encourage people-to-people and subnational-level exchanges, as well as cooperation in education and scientific research . In a bid to increase popular support and public opinion for the growing China-EU relations, Xi added.

China’s new energy industry has made real progress in open competition and represents an advanced production capacity, Xi noted, adding that it not only increases global supply and relieves the pressure of global inflation, but also contributes significantly to the global climate response and the green transition.

China-EU cooperation is essentially complementary and mutually beneficial, and the two sides have extensive common interests and ample space for cooperation in the green and digital transition, he said.

Xi urged the two sides to properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and address each other’s legitimate concerns.

Macron noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, and cooperation between the two sides has achieved many important results.

Macron expressed his delight at holding the France-China-EU trilateral leaders meeting during President Xi’s third state visit to France, saying this is both a continuation of the previous France-China-EU trilateral meetings and also what is urgently needed to address various international challenges.

Macron noted that the world today faces major challenges and that the international situation is at a critical turning point. He said that now more than ever, France and the EU must strengthen cooperation with China as it affects the future of Europe.

France hopes to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China and strengthen mutual trust and friendship between France and China and also between the EU and China, he said.

The EU rejects the logic of decoupling, welcomes investment and cooperation by Chinese companies in Europe, and hopes to deepen cooperation with China and jointly ensure the security and stability of value chains and supply chains in Europe, he said.

France wants to work closely with China to tackle global challenges such as climate change and marine biodiversity, Macron said.

Von der Leyen noted that the EU and China maintain a good relationship and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their relations next year.

Given China’s weight in global affairs, it is important that the EU maintains good relations with China, and this will determine whether global challenges such as climate change and the crisis in Ukraine can be better addressed, she said.

The EU is committed to working with China in the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground despite differences, strengthening mutual trust, avoiding misunderstandings, jointly upholding the international order based on international law, and promoting world peace, security and prosperity , she said.

The EU commends China for its efforts and progress in green transition and development, recognizes China’s legitimate right to develop, and is committed to continuing frank dialogue with China and strengthening their cooperation, she added.

On the crisis in Ukraine, Xi pointed out that China, France and the EU all want an early ceasefire and return of peace to Europe, and support a political solution to the crisis.

Xi urged the three sides to jointly oppose the spillover and escalation of fighting, create conditions for peace talks, ensure international energy and food security and keep industrial and supply chains stable.

China did not cause the crisis in Ukraine and is not a party to it, he said. He added that China has been working vigorously to facilitate peace talks all along.

Noting that China’s objective and fair position and its constructive role are widely recognized by the international community, he said China is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties.

Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Xi stressed that the urgent task is to realize a comprehensive ceasefire as soon as possible, that the main priority is to ensure humanitarian assistance, and that the fundamental way out is the implementation of the two-state solution.

China supports Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, he said.

Noting that China and the EU share many important consensuses on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Xi said China is willing to work with the EU to support a broader, authoritative and effective international peace conference to be held as soon as possible on a timetable and a roadmap for the two-state solution, and promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue at an early stage.

The three leaders believe that the trilateral meeting increased mutual understanding, built consensus for cooperation and identified ways to address issues. They expressed their willingness to continue working together to promote healthy and steady growth of China-EU relations.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.