This undated photo shows the Chinese national flag (left) and the European Union flag. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a meeting via video link with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic at the latter's request on Tuesday, during which both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on key China-EU economic and trade issues, including export controls and the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).
During the meeting, Wang said that China is willing to work with the EU to actively implement the economic and trade consensus reached by Chinese and EU leaders and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU economic and trade relations.
Regarding rare-earth export controls, China's recent measures are a normal practice to improve its export control system in accordance with laws and regulations, reflecting China's responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace and stability, Wang said, noting that China is committed to maintaining the security and stability of global supply chains and has consistently provided approval facilitation for EU companies.
Regarding the Nexperia related issue, Wang said that China firmly opposes the broadening of the concept of "national security" and hopes the EU will play an important constructive role, urging the Netherlands to adhere to the spirit of contracts and market principles and, from the perspective of safeguarding the overall security and stability of global supply chains, put forward an appropriate solution as soon as possible.
During the video talk, Šefčovič said that the EU is willing to work with China to implement the series of economic and trade consensuses reached by China-EU leaders and properly manage economic and trade frictions, according to the MOFCOM.
The EU understands that China has introduced rare-earth export control measures out of considerations of national and international security, the EU trade official said, noting that during the implementation of these measures, the EU hopes China can accelerate the approval of EU companies' applications, according to the MOFCOM.
Regarding the Nexperia related issue, Šefčovič said that the EU is willing to actively assist both the Netherlands and China in strengthening communication when necessary, in order to find a solution quickly and jointly maintain the stability of global supply chains.
Both sides agreed, in line with the consensus reached at the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing in July, to hold an "upgraded version" of the China-EU export control dialogue mechanism meeting in Brussels as soon as possible.
Both sides also exchanged views on issues including the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese EVs.
