China-European Union (EU) economic and trade relations are win-win in nature, and China expects to achieve a win-win result through the negotiations on steel tariffs, said Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. The European Parliament on May 19 approved the plan to increase tariffs on imported steel. Starting July 1 this year, tariffs on imported steel exceeding quotas, which have also been significantly reduced, will double from the current 25 percent to 50 percent.
"EU's move is trade protectionism in nature. Not only will it fail to maintain the steel industry's competitiveness, but it will severely strike China-EU steel trade and affect the stability of the global supply chain. Currently, China is negotiating with the EU within the framework of the WTO, of which the EU is an important member. We urge the EU to strictly abide by the WTO rules, fully respect China's legitimate rights and interests, demonstrate sincerity in negotiations, and ensure a transparent negotiation process and a fair and reasonable outcome. The China-EU economic and trade relations are win-win in nature. China expects to achieve a win-win result through negotiations and promote the steady and healthy development of China-EU economic and trade relations. If the EU takes a discriminative approach to Chinese enterprises and products, China will take corresponding measures and resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," said He.
Commerce Ministry spokesman on steel tariff negotiations with EU
Commerce Ministry spokesman on steel tariff negotiations with EU
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday visited the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC, learning about the history of the CPC over more than a century.
At the memorial, Vucic reviewed The Communist Manifesto and was amazed by an old photo of Pudong, which used to be occupied by farmland 36 years ago.
"It began to be built in the early 1990s. Just 36 years ago, there was nothing here. Now, it is the best city in the world," Vucic said.
Vucic then visited the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC, the birthplace of the CPC, and said it had been a long-held wish of his to see it.
"I wanted to see the place where the CPC was born, and it was here in Shanghai. Yesterday, I heard a story about the Red Boat and I wanted to get to know something more about CPC and its history, because I admire Xi Jinping and his leadership, and I believe that not only him, but some other people throughout Chinese history were delivering the very best results for Chinese people under the very, very difficult circumstances," said Vucic.
Asked about the outcome of the visit, Vucic said he was very satisfied and very happy.
"I'm very satisfied. I'm very happy and there to say I am jubilant about the results. First of all, about my meetings and getting the medal of friendship from President Xi. We reached a lot of important consensuses and arrangements and for the sake and for the benefit of both Chinese and Serbian people. And our cooperation will be strengthened and improved, and this is why I came here to prove the ironclad friendship between our two countries," said Vucic.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vucic arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit to China from May 24 to 28.
Serbian President Vucic visits birthplace of CPC
