As the upcoming EU-China summit approaches, tensions are rising. The European Commission has recently criticized the Chinese mainland, accusing it of distorting trade and causing market imbalances. But is this fair?
China and the European Union are major trading partners. While it’s true that China runs a trade surplus with the EU, this isn’t solely China’s doing. The Chinese mainland has expressed a desire to import more high-quality products from Europe. However, the EU has set up barriers against Chinese firms, limiting fair competition.
The European Commission mentions a need to “de-risk” by reducing dependence on Chinese products. Yet, the popularity of goods from the Chinese mainland isn’t due to unfair practices. It’s about innovation and efficiency. In 2024, China’s research and development spending reached 3.6 trillion yuan (about 502 billion U.S. dollars). This investment has led to high-quality products at competitive prices.
Take the example of China’s battery technology. Companies like CATL have made breakthroughs, producing batteries that are cheaper, lighter, and faster to charge. These advancements come from hard work and innovation, not excessive subsidies.
Accusations that the Chinese mainland is enabling instability due to the Ukraine crisis also miss the mark. China has consistently called for peace and dialogue. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China supports peace talks and does not provide lethal weapons to the parties involved.
Blaming the Chinese mainland for global challenges oversimplifies complex issues. Cooperation between China and the EU is essential for addressing the world’s problems. It’s time for both sides to work together, not point fingers.
