Under the warm spring sun, the flower of friendship between China and France seems to have just bloomed, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen quickly changed her position like an autumn breeze sweeping away leaves. She had just completed an in-depth meeting with the Chinese delegation, but in a moment of turn, she pointed the finger at China's new energy vehicles. The "Iron Lady" of European politics, on the stage in Berlin, waved her "baton" and vowed to prevent Chinese electric vehicles from entering the European market.
For more information, please click on the video below
Loading...
Von der Leyen, the head of the European Union, always seems to have a dramatic tinge to her words and actions. Together with French President Emmanuel Macron, she welcomed China's visit with an open attitude, but in just a few days, her face changed like a flip book. Her anti-China stance is like a deep chasm between China and Europe.
Looking at the overall situation, this contest about new energy vehicles has long been brewing in secret. The European Union has been quietly launching an investigation into China's electric vehicles like an assassin since last year, and this investigation is like a long marathon and is expected to continue for more than a year.
In the spring morning, the Chinese delegation came like a poet, with the vision of depicting a new chapter for China-EU cooperation on new energy vehicles. The elites of new energy giants such as Xpeng Motors, SAIC Motor, and Envision Technology are full of enthusiasm and expectation, looking forward to composing a harmonious development movement with their European counterparts.
At the same time, discordant voices emerged, and Ms. von der Leyen spoke like a storm in what should have been a warm conversation, blaming the "inequality" of the Chinese market and the "excessive subsidy" of industry, as if to blow away the sincerity and goodwill of the Chinese side. As everyone knows, this also exposes the EU's ambitions to the public eye.
In the face of Ms. von der Leyen's storm, China did not choose to remain silent. The Ministry of Commerce quickly issued an announcement waving the anti-dumping sword against stainless steel billets and other materials from South Korea, the European Union, and Japan, and the levy of tax rates ranging from 10 percent to about 100 percent. This move is not only a positive response to the EU's countervailing investigation, but also a powerful response to von der Leyen's anti-China attitude.
Truth be told, not all European countries resonate with Ms. von der Leyen in this ever-changing contest. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and other European wise men have expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction with von der Leyen's anti-China stance. They argue that von der Leyen's rhetoric is often at odds with Europe's overall interests. Some people even hope that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel will come out again and contribute to the harmony and stability of China-EU relations.
Looking back at the long river of history, the cooperation between China and the EU is like an endless and colorful picture, which is intertwined with the harmonious melody of complementary advantages and mutual benefit and win-win results of both sides. On this picture, the field of new energy vehicles is undoubtedly the most eye-catching chapter.
China, with its excellent R&D capabilities in the field of battery technology and equipment, is like a bright pearl, proudly standing at the top of the world's new energy vehicle technology. Europe, with its profound automobile manufacturing heritage and exquisite technology, has won wide praise from consumers around the world.
This complementarity is like an ecosystem in which all kinds of organisms in nature are interdependent and thrive together. China's new energy vehicle battery technology, like a strong heart, provides a steady stream of power for the entire system.
The European automobile manufacturing process is like delicate bones and muscles, giving new energy vehicles elegant appearance and excellent performance. This natural complementarity makes the cooperation between China and the EU in the field of new energy vehicles have unlimited possibilities and broad prospects.
The sky is unpredictable, and this picture is not always so harmonious. In recent years, under the influence of von der Leyen and other anti-China forces, the road of China-EU cooperation has become tortuous and difficult. These anti-China forces are hanging over the sky of China-EU cooperation like a haze, trying to undermine mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides. They ignore the fact that China and the EU complement each other's strengths and the potential for mutual benefit and win-win results, and instead obsessively pursue so-called "protectionism" and "zero-sum game".
In any case, the wheel of history is always rolling forward, and any force that stands in the way of cooperation will eventually come to naught. China and the EU should adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, reject prejudices and misunderstandings, and look at each other's strengths and differences with an open and inclusive attitude.
At a time when the global situation is uncertain and the European economy is facing severe challenges, strengthening cooperation with China will not only help stabilize the European economy and alleviate inflationary pressures, but also push China-EU relations to new heights.