Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to join hands with China in promoting the sound development of bilateral economic and trade ties.
Commenting on a possible trade agreement between the two sides following German delegations' recent visits to China at a press briefing in Beijing, He said China has always held an opening attitude toward trade ties with the EU.
"China and the EU are important economic and trade partners. Over the years, their cooperation has been built on a solid foundation, with strong growth momentum and deeply interwoven supply and industrial chains, forming a pattern of complementary strengths and mutual benefit. China has always maintained an open attitude toward bilateral trade arrangements with the EU and welcomes relevant proposals from European leaders," the spokesman said.
He underscored China's openness to deeper cooperation, but also cautioned that recent EU practices have posed challenges for Chinese enterprises.
"However, the EU has employed various trade tools including investigation to restrict Chinese enterprises over the recent years. We hope the EU will listen more to the voices of its member states and industries, abandon protectionist practices, and work with China in the same direction, replacing barriers with openness and cooperation, resolving frictions through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promoting the sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations," He said.
Chinese ministry of commerce urges EU to work with China for sound trade growth
Chinese ministry of commerce urges EU to work with China for sound trade growth
Recent flashfloods and mudslides in eastern Afghanistan have devastated the homes of local residents who returned from refugee camps in neighboring Pakistan, worsening their already difficult living conditions.
A family of 10 who recently returned from Pakistan found themselves once again facing hardship. Their homes and belongings were swept away when flash floods tore through their village, forcing them to move into makeshift shelters.
After decades in Pakistan, the family, along with other Afghan refugees, had just finished living in cramped brick shelters and returned to their ancestral homeland. Only a month after setting up their tents, a sudden flash flood struck in the middle of the night.
"The flood surged down from the upper part of the village, forcing us to flee in darkness. It was a devastating torrent—we managed to save our children, but all our belongings were swept away," said Bahram Jan from the returned family.
Unpredictable weather in eastern Afghanistan makes rebuilding especially difficult. For this family, limited financial resources make constructing a proper house on their land even more challenging.
"We spent nearly 45 years in Pakistan as refugees. After returning to our homeland, we are now struck by such disasters, leaving everything in ruins. While we are grateful to be back in our country, we urgently appeal for proper housing to be built for us here,” said Jan.
Bahram's son, Esmatullah, had tried to support the family with a small roadside shop, but floodwaters wiped out much of his inventory, dealing another blow to the family.
"The flood swept away all the materials in my shop, and I struggled to replace them. It was so severe that we could not protect anything," said the boy.
Eastern Afghanistan flashfloods destroy homes of returned refugees
