China's foreign ministry refers questions on EU trade commissioner's Beijing visit
In short
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, asked on October 8 what China expects from a visit to Beijing by the EU trade commissioner, said the question should go to China's competent authorities. She said that, as a principle, China holds that open cooperation and resolving economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation serve the common interests of China and the EU.
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked at the regular press conference on October 8 what China expects from a visit to Beijing by an EU trade official, described by 36Kr, CLS and Jiemian as the EU trade commissioner, and what message China would convey to the EU. Mao said the question should be put to China's competent authorities, adding that, as a principle, China has always held that open cooperation and resolving economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation are in the common interests of China and the EU. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
CLS and Jiemian reported that the question came from an AFP reporter. [ 2 , 4 ]
According to China News Service, another reporter said China has described China-EU trade as mutually beneficial while European countries are taking stronger protective measures, and asked what steps China hoped to take to address European concerns. Mao said China hopes the EU will meet it halfway, resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU economic and trade relations, which she said is in both sides' common interest. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out China's stated position on trade differences with the EU while an EU trade official is in Beijing. Several business and tech outlets, as well as an official outlet, carried the exchange the same afternoon.
Key facts
- Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning held the regular press conference on October 8. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- A reporter asked what China expects from the visit to Beijing by the EU trade commissioner, described by China News Service as an EU trade official, and what message China would convey to the EU. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- CLS and Jiemian said the question came from an AFP reporter. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Mao said the question should be put to China's competent authorities. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao said China has always held that open cooperation and resolving economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation are in the common interests of China and the EU. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Asked how China would address European concerns as European countries take stronger protective measures, Mao said China hopes the EU will meet it halfway and resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation. [ 5 ]
- Mao said China hopes the EU will work with it to promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU economic and trade relations, which China considers in both sides' common interest. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Mao Ning held the foreign ministry's regular press conference on October 8. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao was asked about China's expectations for the EU trade visit to Beijing and referred the question to China's competent authorities. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao said open cooperation and resolving trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation serve the common interests of China and the EU. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The name of the EU trade commissioner visiting Beijing. None of the documents names the visiting official.
- The purpose, agenda and Chinese counterparts of the visit. The documents report only the spokesperson's answer, which referred questions to the competent authorities without naming them.
- The visitor's exact title. Most outlets say the EU trade commissioner, while China News Service refers to an EU trade official.
- Mao's remarks on European protective measures and meeting halfway. Only China News Service reports this second exchange.