【By Xiong Chaoran, Observer Net】On July 12 local time, the UK's The Guardian published a commentary article that believes, despite US President Trump's attempt to implement an economic blockade policy, China is using all means to counter it, and the results are becoming evident. Especially after the US imposed excessively high tariffs, China's foreign trade is gradually recovering.

The article cited data from macroeconomic data provider Macrobond and research consulting firm Jardine Lloyd Thompson, which showed that in May this year, although China's exports to the US decreased by about $15 billion, exports to other countries with trade relations with the US increased by half, and exports to African countries also saw significant growth. At the same time, China is also preparing to conclude several agreements to deepen economic cooperation with countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and the UK.

However, after making this argument, the commentary article took a sudden turn and revealed its true intentions. The article's author, The Guardian's senior economic writer Phillip Inman, used highly ideological views to claim that "the world must be more vigilant than ever" against China's growing power and influence. He claimed that just like dealing with Russia, the world must "strictly limit" China's exploration of a prosperous path.

Senior Economic Writer of The Guardian, Phillip Inman, The Guardian

The article mentioned that last week, China and Brazil signed a series of cooperation agreements, including those in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and aerospace, further solidifying China's "Belt and Road" initiative investment plan.

While the British are examining their government, thinking that it barely manages to boil an egg, China's situation is completely different. For example, when talking to Chinese local officials, you will quickly realize that they not only pay attention to basic livelihood issues but also strive to restore China's status as the world's leading economic power before the Industrial Revolution. No factor can hinder China's efforts to keep its economy running.

The article said that Australian Prime Minister Albanese is about to visit three Chinese cities and conduct negotiations on trade and investment; while the UK's Energy Minister Miliband is considering injecting Chinese funds and technology into building new offshore wind farms.

Regarding this, author Inman claimed that the "attractiveness" China can show is huge, not only because its exported goods are cheap, but also because it provides low-cost digital infrastructure products, directly changing the development of an economy. This is particularly attractive to industrialized countries like South Africa, Brazil, and the Philippines, which have also been penalized by Trump's tariffs.

"Cheap goods offset inflationary pressures, and enticing investments attract countries that know China cannot fulfill its election promises," but in Inman's mind, his ideology resurfaced again, claiming that the UK and EU should resist the demand for China, they can politely refuse with words, or if more forceful reasons are needed, they can mention the Sino-Russian relationship.

"China has provided most of the required materials to Russia in exchange for cheap oil, thus accepting an isolated status," the article continued to sneer.

Inman finally claimed that it is not easy to exclude China. China supports the salaries of British university lecturers by sending tens of thousands of students, its vast electrical and electronic industry warehouses not only supply cheap electric vehicles to foreign countries but also continuously provide various products. However, this should not be an excuse for taking a "relaxed, free, and permissive attitude" towards China.

In May this year, our country's exports to ASEAN, the EU, Africa, and Central Asian five countries increased by 16.9%, 13.7%, 35.3%, and 8.8% respectively. CCTV News

Interestingly, on July 8 local time, before this month's China-EU summit, European Commission President von der Leyen delivered a speech at the European Parliament. According to the content of the speech, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported that von der Leyen made a series of severe criticisms against China on its stance towards Russia and trade policies, describing her speech as the "hardest criticism" against China so far, and considered her speech as a "major showdown."

"We also know that China's firm support for Russia is aggravating Europe's instability and insecurity. We can say that China is actually providing support for Russia's 'wartime economy,' " von der Leyen claimed: "We cannot accept this. I have always emphasized that how China continues to interact with Putin will be the decisive factor in future China-EU relations."

Regarding trade issues, von der Leyen continued to baselessly accuse China of "dumping surplus capacity with subsidies" into the global market. She also criticized China's legitimate measures of implementing an export license system for rare earths, claiming that it has impacted European manufacturers.

"We are engaging with China to urge it to relax export controls... We believe strategic decoupling is not in our interest. I think for Europe, it would be inefficient and futile, but we will continue to de-risk." She still repeated this cliché.

On July 9, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning hosted a regular press conference and responded that normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target third parties and should not be interfered with by third parties.

On July 10, Chinese Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson He Yongqian responded that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. There will be important high-level exchanges between China and the EU. It hopes that the EU side will view the bilateral economic and trade relations without emotion and prejudice, reduce accusations, increase communication, reduce protectionism, and increase openness, reduce anxiety, and take action, and discuss matters more through consultation, rather than labeling. China is willing to work with the EU to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, expand mutual market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export control, deepen supply chain cooperation, promote World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, support WTO discussions on industrial subsidy policies, demonstrate more major power responsibility for global climate change governance, and inject more stability, certainty, and positive energy into building an open world economy.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526417417849881115/

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