Beijing (TDI): China and Europe have established deeply integrated industrial and supply chains, presenting vast opportunities for economic and trade collaboration, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji said on Friday.
Ling’s remarks came during a meeting in Beijing with Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope, a key lobby group representing European enterprises, according to Global Times.
Reaffirming China’s commitment to expanding high-level economic engagement, Ling emphasized the provision of a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment for foreign investors, including European firms.
He also urged BusinessEurope to encourage more European investments in China and contribute to fostering stable and healthy China-EU trade relations.
Beyrer underscored the mutual benefits of China-EU economic ties, describing them as rich with opportunities.
He pledged that BusinessEurope would continue to bridge communication between businesses, promoting practical cooperation on both sides.
European Businesses’ Interest in Maintaining Ties with China
Experts view Beyrer’s visit as a reflection of European businesses’ interest in maintaining robust ties with China, a key overseas market.
Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University, noted that the European business community remains wary of “decoupling” from China, despite certain political pressures within the EU.
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This meeting occurs amid tensions over Brussels’ decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, a move opposed by several European officials, businesses, and Beijing.
Wang highlighted the necessity for the European Commission to address these concerns, given the high level of industrial integration between the two sides.
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Enhanced cooperation with China, Wang argued, could bolster European firms’ technological and production capabilities, enabling them to maintain competitiveness in both Chinese and global markets.
