Distinguished guests, dear friends,

It is a great pleasure to attend the breakfast club hosted by Chinaforum Bayern and exchange views with you on the theme of "China and Europe: New Opportunities for Cooperation!"

The current international landscape is turbulent and fraught with uncertainties. Against this backdrop, the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations is not only vital to the well-being of our peoples but also holds great significance for global peace and prosperity. You are representatives of Bavarian enterprises and from all walks of life, who have consistently followed and supported China’s development and China-Germany, China-Europe cooperation. I hope today’s exchanges will deepen your understanding of China, enhance our mutual trust and consensus and foster closer co-operation between us. 

I would like to elaborate on China’s economic and social development and share perspectives on China-Germany and China-Europe relations in the following three key dimensions:

I.  The tremendous economic and social Progress China has achieved lays a solid foundation for its role as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world

Amid escalating geopolitical conflicts, profound evolution of  the international order and increasingly complex global economic and trade environments, the recovery of world economy faces formidable challenges. Despite these difficulties, China’s economy continues to advance steadfastly and maintains a long-term positive momentum. This resilience stems from the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and our unwavering commitment to the Chinese path to modernization.

The stable growth of the Chinese economy has made a lasting contribution to global growth. Since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, China has gradually built an independent and comprehensive industrial and economic system. Since reform and opening-up of the country, China’s economy has achieved leapfrog growth, emerging as a primary contributor to global expansion. Despite recent downward pressures, China has maintained medium-to-high growth rates, demonstrating remarkable resilience. China’s GDP grew by 5% year-on-year in 2024, and made a 5.4% increase in the first quarter of 2025, which surpasses forecasts by many authoritative international institutions. This progress not only benefits the Chinese people but also offers vast market opportunities for global enterprises. As a global manufacturing hub with the world’s most complete industrial system, China leads the world in output of over 220 industrial products and the added value of manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for consecutive years, serving as a "ballast stone" in global supply chains. During the pandemic, China’s complete industrial system and its robust producing capacity provided assurances for global pandemic fighting and world market stability. 

China’s high-quality development injects new momentum into global growth. In recent years, China's manufacturing sector has accelerated its shift toward high-end production, while emerging industries have flourished and the digital economy has continued to expand. Adhering to an innovation-driven development strategy, China has increased R&D investment, with innovations continuously emerging, contributing Chinese expertise to global technological advancement. China has achieved ground-breaking progress in cutting-edge fields such as 5G, AI, new energy and aerospace. A cohort of globally competitive high-tech enterprises have rapidly emerged, Promoting global industrial transformation and innovative development. China’s participation in international industrial division and cooperation, improving service trade, and optimizing regional opening-up strategies, have further stabilized global supply chains. Moreover, China’s green development achievements and ecological civilization construction offer solutions to global sustainable development. 

China’s high-standard opening-up injects new vitality into the global economy. As President Xi Jinping emphasized, "Only an open China can become a modernized China." "China will steadfastly advance high-level opening-up, comprehensively propel Chinese modernization through high-quality development, and create fresh opportunities for open cooperation among nations." In 2024, over 300 reform measures adopted at the Third Plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee reaffirmed China’s resolve to deepen reforms and expand openness. With a population of 1.4 billion and an ever expanding middle-income people exceeding 400 million, China provides a vast and most promising consumer market. China’s continued efforts for business environment improvement and international expositions like the CIIE(China International Import Expo), CISCE(China International Supply Chain Expo), CICPE(China International Consumer Products Expo) and Global Digital Trade Expo, create unparalleled opportunities for countries all over the world to share the benefit of China’s development in all fields, from high-end manufacturing to modern service industry, from traditional goods to digital products. China firmly upholds the WTO-centered multilateral trading system based on rules, supports economic globalization and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. By further expand opening-up, China provides German and international businesses more opportunities, solidifying its role as an indispensable major market of the world .

II. China’s Independent Foreign Policy of Peace Ensures Its Role as a Stabilizing Force in a Turbulent World

Now I’ll elaborate on the "worldview" and "methodology" in China’s diplomacy through three key phrases, illustrating China’s stabilizing role in our turbulent world today. 

The first phrase is “ a community with a shared future for mankind”.What is the "worldview" in China’s diplomacy?   What a world does China, as a major country with global influence, aspire to build, and how to build such a world? The most authoritative, comprehensive, accurate and profound answer lies in President Xi Jinping’s vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. President Xi stated: "A community with a shared future for mankind means that the future and destiny of every nation and country are closely intertwined. We should stand together through thick and thin, striving to build our planet into a harmonious family and turn humanity’s aspirations for a better life into reality." 

In this era of multipolarity and globalization, security and development interests of all countries are interconnected. Confronting growing global deficits in peace, development, security and governance, no country can isolate itself or address these challenges alone. Unity and win-win cooperation are the only viable paths.

Since President Xi Jinping first proposed the concept in 2013, the practice of building a community with a shared future has borne abundant fruit. From bilateral to multilateral engagements, regional to global initiatives, China has established diverse forms of communities with a shared future with dozens of countries and regions. The vision has been inscribed in UN General Assembly resolutions for six consecutive years and incorporated into documents of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and other multilateral mechanisms, gaining broad understanding and support in the international community, particularly from developing countries. In 2023, China released the white paper Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind: China’s Proposals and Actions. Understanding the content of this document is somehow key to comprehending China’s diplomacy. I highly recommend this white paper. 

The second phrase is genuine multilateralism. Multipolarity is the inevitable choice for building a community with a shared future for mankind, the optimal structure for global development and a defining reality of today’s world.  History shows that uni-polar or bipolar systems breed inequity and confrontation, undermining global security and well-being of the world people. In our perspective on the future, the historical trend toward multipolarity is unstoppable. 

China consistently advocates genuine multilateralism featured participating together, contributing together, and benefit-sharing together by all nations - and opposes exclusive "multilateralism in small-circle" or "self-prioritized multilateralism." China is committed to democratization in international relations and opposes hegemony, power politics and unilateral bullying. Recently, the Trump administration, driven by self-interest and disregarding economic rules, indiscriminately wielded tariff measures, even imposing "reciprocal tariffs" on uninhabited islands with only penguins living there. If such hegemonic acts prevail, global interests will suffer, and the international order will regress to the law-of-the-jungle. China resolutely counters challenges while demonstrating utmost sincerity in resolving issues. The essence of China-U.S. economic relations is mutual benefit. 

The tariff hikes not only harm Chinese enterprises, but also burden American consumers and destabilize global supply chains. China stands firmly for multipolarity, globalization and trade liberalization and facilitation, taking countermeasures against the unilateral acts by the US to defend its legitimate rights and international fairness and justice. 

A just cause enjoys abundant support. A glance at social media reveals overwhelming global netizen support for China. Recently, my interactions with Bavarian political and business leaders also highlighted widespread opposition to U.S. tariff abuses. Globalization and multipolarity reflect historical trends and the will of the mankind. Unilateral bullying and hegemony will ultimately be rejected by the world. Going against globalization and multipolarity cannot stop the surging tide of historical development. 

The third phrase is win-win cooperation. The essence of international relations should be win-win cooperation and sharing of each other’s beauties, instead of zero-sum games. Nations’ futures are intertwined. Nations of the world must work collectively to grow the global cake and protect our Mother Planet, join hands to advance the welfare of all peoples. 

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) exemplifies this vision. Since its 2013 launch, China has signed over 200 cooperation agreements with 150+ countries and 30+ international organizations, delivering projects that benefit participating nations. The World Bank estimates that full BRI implementation will expand trade among participating countries by 4.1%, generating $1.6 trillion annually for the global economy by 2030. 

President Xi Jinping has proposed three global initiatives, that is, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) . The three Initiatives have further enriched the shared future vision. The the Global Development Initiative prioritizes development and people-centered approaches; the Global Security Initiative advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; the Global Civilization Initiative promotes respect for civilizational diversity and common values of humanity. Together, they outline a blueprint for global cooperation and a "methodology" for building a community with a shared future for mankind. 

III. Sino-German and Sino-European Relations Exemplify China’s Stabilizing Role in a Turbulent World 

Amidst unprecedented global transformations, the development of Sino-German and Sino-European relations not only serves bilateral interests but also underpins global peace, stability, and prosperity. 

(1) Sino-German Relations: A Pillar of Global Stability Through Trials

Despite geographical distance and differences in political systems, history and culture, the Chinese and German peoples have long embraced mutual understanding, mutual learning and win-win cooperation based on mutual respect and equality. This has set a successful example of win-win cooperation for countries with diverse systems, cultures and development stages. 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, China and Germany have moved forward through dialogue and cooperation. Over 70 dialogue mechanisms have strengthened political trust, an 800-fold increase in trade volume testifies to economic synergy, and 100+ pairs of sister provinces/cities have deepened people-to-people bonds. The thriving exchanges through 3 pairs of sister provinces and 10+ pairs of sister cities between China and Bavaria have contributed greatly to our people-to-people connectivity. 

Amid global geopolitical tensions and rising unilateralism and protectionism, Sino-German economic ties have served as a "ballast" and "anchor", demonstrating robust resilience. From 2016 to 2023, China remained Germany’s largest trading partner for eight consecutive years. Numerous Chinese enterprises have taken roots in Germany, while German giants like BMW, Volkswagen, Siemens and BASF are prospering in China. The fruitful outcomes of Sino-German economic cooperation promise vast future potential. 

The progress in Sino-German and Sino-Bavarian relations has brought immense benefits to both peoples and significantly contributed to China-Europe relations and global stability. China always views Sino-German relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. We stand ready to work with Germany’s new federal government, in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while reserving differences, to consolidate and develop the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, jointly contributing to global peace and prosperity.

(2) Sino-European Relations: Advancing in Mutual Trust and Cooperation, Transcending Differences and seeking win-win outcomes

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations. As the Chinese old saying goes, "At fifty, one understands the Mandate of Heaven." Over the five decades, China and Europe have forged a relationship grounded in respect for each other’s social systems and development paths chosen by their peoples, core interests and major concerns, laying a solid foundation for mutual benefit. 

President Xi Jinping noted that China and Europe are two major forces for global peace, two vast markets for common development, and two great civilizations for human progress. China-EU relations carry growing strategic and global significance. Both sides are key participants in the BRI, share aligned visions on green development and possess vast cooperation potential in clean energy, climate change and AI. Between China and Europe there are no fundamental conflicts or geopolitical contradictions. Our consensus far outweighs differences, cooperation far exceeds competition. We are partners, not rivals. China-Europe friendship benefits not only our peoples but also all humanity. 

Despite the geographical distance between us, China-EU relations remain resilient and dynamic. For instance, the China-Europe Railway Express has operated over 100,000 trains, connecting 100+ Asian cities across 11 countries with 200+ European cities in 25 countries, providing fast, stable and reliable logistics for bilateral trade and bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. 

China consistently regards Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner, supports EU’s strategic autonomy, and expects a stable and prosperous Europe. China-Europe relations are not targeted at, dependent on or controlled by any third party. While some European politicians and media advocate "de-risking" or "decoupling," it is  heartening to see that, many political leaders and representatives from various sectors in Bavaria have steadfastly upheld a pragmatic and objective stance toward China-Europe relations, having publicly voiced opposition on multiple occasions to the narratives of "decoupling" or "supply chain breaking" between China and Europe. 

This year marks 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the World Anti Fascist War and the founding of the UN.  Amid U.S. tariff disruptions to global trade, China stands ready to work with Europe to uphold the UN-centered international system and order and WTO-led multilateral trading system.  China looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Europe, championing multilateralism, opposing unilateralism and protectionism and jointly addressing global challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The German poet Friedrich Schiller once said, "History alone can illuminate the present and future of mankind." China-Germany and China-Europe relations have endured many challenges and remain a precious asset for stability and development. 

In this turbulent world, China will always be a promoter of peace, a contributor to development and a defender of order. China stands ready to join hands with Germany and Europe on the path of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit. Let us face challenges with more openness, inclusiveness and rationality, and write a new chapter of stability and prosperity together!

Thank you all!