Photo: VCG

As Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang kicks off his visit to Europe on Monday, Chinese experts said that the two sides are expected to reach more consensus and cooperation in areas such as environmental protection and climate change.

EU's recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) may also be among topics to be discussed during the Vice Premier's visit, analysts said, emphasizing that cooperation remains the cornerstone of China-EU relations and resolving differences through dialogue and negotiation is conducive to both.

As agreed between China and the EU and at the invitation of Vice Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang will hold the fifth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue at EU Headquarters in Brussels and visit Luxembourg from June 17 to 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Friday.

Since the establishment of the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in 2020, the two sides have successfully held four rounds of dialogue, which has played a positive role in jointly addressing global challenges in environment and climate governance, Lin told a regular press conference on Friday.

During the trip, Ding and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič will co-chair the fifth high-level dialogue, Lin said.

In Luxembourg, Ding will meet with Luxembourg's leaders and attend the Second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" Forum for International Cooperation. China looks to work with Luxembourg through this visit to step up dialogue and communication, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and further advance bilateral relations, Lin said.

Cooperation in environmental protection and climate change is a solid foundation for coordination between China and Europe, and it is also the direction of bilateral cooperation, which is in line with the interests of both sides, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Experts believe that the upcoming fifth round of environment and climate dialogue will strengthen communication and consensus between the two sides, translating these into coordinated policies and joint actions.

Cui also noted that the cooperation between China and Luxembourg on the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road has already achieved fruitful results, and this visit by Chinese Vice Premier is expected to further promote bilateral cooperation, and boost connectivity between China and Europe. The Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road also plays a crucial role in China's efforts to advance jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative in Europe, Cui said.

Ding's visit came days after the European Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday to impose provisional tariffs on Chinese EVs imports starting from early July. Multiple Chinese government departments and organizations have voiced strong opposition to the EC's decision and vowed all necessary countermeasures.

Peng Gang, Minister of the Chinese Mission to the EU, said at the 2024 Europe-China Business Summit on Friday that China-EU pragmatic trade and economic cooperation brings opportunities rather than risks, and that Chinese products and enterprises coming to Europe will bring more healthy competition to Europe, improving the competitiveness of European companies and fostering its scientific development, corporate strength, and people's well-being accordingly.

"We look forward to seeing the EU back to the right track of resolving concerns of both sides through dialogue, exchanges and consultation with the Chinese side as soon as possible," Peng noted in a keynote speech.

Chinese experts predicted that the EC's recent tariff decision against China will be among the topics to be discussed during the Vice Premier's visit, although high-level economic and trade dialogues would not appear on the agenda.

"This crucial opportunity holds great significance, and it is imperative that both sides seize the moment to address tariff issues through constructive dialogue and negotiation," Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

Despite recent tensions, the continued high-level interaction and communication between China and Europe have sent a clear signal that cooperation remains the cornerstone of China-EU relations, Feng said, emphasizing that China has always prioritized cooperation over differences and competition.

Maintaining regular exchanges between China and Europe is conducive to strengthening dialogue and communication, resolving some differences. Given the extensive common interests and huge cooperation foundation in the field of green development between China and Europe, both sides should take this opportunity to further clarify their consensus and promote the continuous expansion of cooperation space and potential between the two sides, analysts said.