EXCHANGES

10CHINA TODAY
“Since the establishment of diplo-matic relations more than 50 years ago, China and the Netherlands have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, while bilateral dialogue and cooperation have yielded fruitful results. China and the Netherlands are important economic and trade partners, with bilateral trade volume staying at a high level for many years in a row. The two countries’ cooperation in agricul-ture, water conservancy, science and technology, and other fields has been at the forefront of China-EU coopera-tion, bringing tangible benefits to both countries and their people. I hope that the Dutch side will continue to work with China toward the same direction to seek common ground while shelving differences, so as to uphold the good situation of bilateral cooperation. China is ready to work with the Netherlands to further deepen practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, tourism, and at sub-national levels, and facilitate person-nel exchanges between the two sides, for the sake of better mutual benefit and
win-win results.”Premier Li Qiang of the State Council said when having a phone call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on February 2, 2024.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 74 years ago, China-Switzer-land relations have stood the test of the international situation, maintained stability and growth, and explored a successful path featuring equality, in-novation, and mutual benefit. It has long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western countries, which is of exemplary significance. China is ready to work with Switzerland to follow the guid-ance of strategic planning of the leaders of the two countries, continue to carry forward the ‘pioneering’ spirit, and open up new prospects for China-Switzerland innovative strategic partnership.”Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the third round of China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue which he held with Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on February 7, 2024.
Xi Jinping and Portuguese President Exchange
Congratulations on 45th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with his Portuguese counterpart,
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on February 8.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Portugal have upheld the idea of mutual respect, openness, and inclusiveness since the diplomatic ties were established 45 years ago. China and Portugal have properly settled the Macao issue through friendly consultation and taken stock of the situation to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi said the two sides have jointly coped with the global financial crisis and public health challenges, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation among their enterprises, worked together for stronger Belt and Road cooperation and development of China-EU relations, and upheld multilateralism, vividly demonstrating the right way for countries to get along with one another.
Noting that he highly regards the development of China-Portugal relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Rebelo de Sousa to set the course for an ever-deepening China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership, better benefit the two peoples, promote a sound and steady development of China-EU relations, and contribute to world peace, stability, and prosperity.
Rebelo de Sousa said that despite the long distance, Portugal and China have always gotten along and maintained friendly exchanges in political, economic, cultural, social, and other fields.
Rebelo de Sousa said that bilateral ties have been thriving since the establishment of diplomatic relations and that the two countries have successfully achieved the smooth handover of Macao, worked together to boost the development of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and actively carried out multilateral cooperation.
Rebelo de Sousa added that Portugal is ready to make joint efforts with China to carry forward the bilateral friendship and promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Li Qiang Sends Message of Congratulations to the “Icebreakers” 2024 Chinese New Year Celebration
On February 5, 2024, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council sent a congratulatory message to the “Icebreakers” 2024 Chinese New Year celebration hosted by Britain’s 48 Group Club.Li pointed out that over the years, Britain’s 48 Group Club has actively promoted economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the U.K., which has promoted mutual benefit and win-win results, and deepened mutual understand-ing. The historic contribution made by the elder generation of British friends will always be remembered.
Li said that practice has fully proved that closer cooperation between China and the U.K. not only serves the fundamental interests of both sides but also contributes to world peace and prosperity.
Li Qiang expressed the hope that people with vision from all walks of life in China and the U.K. will carry forward the spirit of icebreaking, continue to take active and vigorous actions, and make new contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples, promot-ing China-U.K. friendly cooperation, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results at a higher level.
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March 2024
“France is one of the countries that have the longest record and closest cooperation with China on cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China would like to take the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 as an opportunity to carry out more exchanges and interactions with France to enhance mutual understanding and build a closer bond between the two peoples. China has granted a 15-day visa-free policy to France. We welcome more friends from France to come to China this year, to see the diverse landscape, experience the rich local cultures, have a taste of traditional cuisines, learn about the Chi-nese civilization, witness China’s development and transformation, and feel the reservoir of goodwill between the Chinese and French people.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference on February 7, 2024.
“In fact, it is the U.S. Cyber Force Command that openly declared that the critical infrastructure of other countries is a legitimate target for U.S. cy-berattacks. Since last year, China’s cybersecurity agencies have released reports revealing the U.S. government’s long-running cyberattacks against China’s critical infrastructure. Such irresponsible policy and practices have exposed global critical infrastructure to huge risks. The U.S. needs to stop its worldwide cyber espionage and cyberat-tacks and stop smearing other countries under
the excuse of cyber security.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a
regular press conference on February 19, 2024.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Meets with Wang Yi
On February 17, 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Wang Yi, also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, first conveyed cordial greetings from the Chinese leadership and congratulated the Munich Security Conference on its 60th anniversary as it has become an international security policy forum with global influence today.
Wang Yi said the current international situation is undergoing frequent disor-ders with recurring hotspot issues and a sluggish global economy. China, a re-sponsible major country, will serve as a staunch force for stability in the turbulent world. China also supports Germany in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is willing to work with Germany to understand and support each other, enhance mutual trust, strengthen collaboration, and jointly provide more stability and certainty to the world.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Germa-ny all-round strategic partnership. Wang said the two sides should take stock of their successful experiences, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and pursue complementarity of advantages so as to benefit the two peoples.
Wang Yi said China is focusing on advancing Chinese modernization, uphold-ing high-quality development, and pushing forward high-standard opening up. The march toward modernization of more than 1.4 billion people will bring an even greater market and long-term development opportunities for all countries includ-ing Germany. The two sides should eliminate disturbances, continue to pursue openness and free trade, give full play to the role of economic and trade coopera-tion as the ballast, and provide a predictable policy environment for this.
Olaf Scholz asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leader-ship and said that Germany is ready to work with China to make good preparations for high-level exchanges this year and push for more substantive achievements. He said the German economy is deeply integrated in globalization and that its development benefits from free trade. The German side opposes protectionism, and decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains. Germany is glad to see China’s development and revitalization and is ready to provide a sound business environment in Germany for companies from other countries.
Olaf Scholz said the current international situation is undergoing a difficult moment, and that Germany is ready to work with China to play a positive role in
maintaining peace and stability.。