According to Beijing Daily Client, on October 28, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jia Kun, held a regular press conference.
A reporter from AFP asked, the delegations of the EU and China will hold talks in Brussels on trade agreements, and discuss issues related to rare earths. Is China planning to relax its export controls on rare earths?
Guo Jia Kun said that the essence of Sino-EU economic and trade relations is complementary strengths and mutual benefit. We hope that the EU side will abide by its commitment to support free trade and oppose trade protectionism, and not take restrictive measures at will, but instead insist on resolving trade differences through dialogue and consultation, providing enterprises with a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment, and in practice safeguarding the market economy and WTO rules.
Guo Jia Kun said that regarding specific issues, it is recommended that you ask the relevant Chinese authorities.
Guo Jia Kun (Photo) Photo from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to Bloomberg and the Brussels Times, on October 27 local time, the spokesperson of the European Commission, Olof Gill, stated that a high-level Chinese technical delegation will visit Brussels this week to discuss the issue of rare earths with the EU.
"The first video conference was held today (27th), laying the foundation for subsequent work," Gill said, "the Chinese delegation will arrive in Brussels on Thursday (30th) to discuss issues related to rare earths".
Informed sources also told Bloomberg that in addition to the issue of rare earths, Chinese and European officials also discussed the matter of the Dutch government's forced takeover of an enterprise controlled by Chinese companies, Anshen Semiconductor, on the 27th. The source said that the EU hopes China allows temporary exports of chips to avoid large-scale production disruptions in the European automotive industry, while reaching a long-term solution through negotiations.
Recently, the Dutch government, citing "national security", implemented a forced administrative takeover of Anshen Semiconductor, a subsidiary of Chinese chip manufacturer Wen Tai Technology, froze its global assets worth up to 14.7 billion yuan, and initiated procedures to remove the Chinese management team.
Our multiple departments responded, emphasizing that China firmly opposes the EU's broadening of the concept of national security and directly intervening in internal corporate affairs through administrative means. This move by the EU not only violates the spirit of contract and market principles, but will also seriously damage the business environment in the Netherlands, harming both parties.
According to the website of the Ministry of Commerce, on October 21, Minister Wang Wentao had a video meeting with the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Schefcovic, at the request, and exchanged in-depth views on key topics of Sino-EU economic and trade relations such as export control and the EU's anti-subsidy case against Chinese electric vehicles.
Wang Wentao said that regarding the issue of rare earth export control, the recent measures taken by China are normal practices to improve the Chinese export control system in accordance with laws and regulations, reflecting China's major power responsibility in maintaining world peace and stability. China is committed to maintaining the safety and stability of the global supply chain and has always provided approval convenience for enterprises in the EU.
Wang Wentao said that regarding the issue of Anshen Semiconductor, China firmly opposes the generalization of the concept of "national security" and hopes the EU will play an important constructive role, urging the Netherlands to uphold the spirit of contract and market principles, and from the perspective of maintaining the safety and stability of the global supply chain, quickly propose a proper solution.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566175940506599942/
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