Interview with EU Ambassador to China Yu Bai: The return of China, the United States and Europe to the negotiating table is the common expectation of all parties

　(Viewing things) Interview with EU Ambassador to China Yu Bai: China, the United States and Europe return to the negotiating table is the common expectation of all parties

　　China News Service, Beijing, June 15th. Title: Interview with EU Ambassador to China Yu Bai: The return of China, the United States and Europe to the negotiating table is the common expectation of all parties

　　China News Agency reporter Liu Liang

　　In an interview with a reporter from China News Agency recently, EU Ambassador to China Yu Bai said that with the rapid development of China's economy, the contribution of China's economy to the world economy is increasing day by day.

He looks forward to progress in the China-EU Investment Agreement, but at present, each other still needs some political space.

At the same time, he also hopes that China, the United States, and the European Union can return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, which is vital to the development of the world economy.

Great changes in China's economy

　　Since the reform and opening up, China's economy has undergone tremendous changes.

Official data show that China’s contribution to world economic growth in 2018 was 27.5%, an increase of 24.4 percentage points from 1978.

China has been the main engine of world economic growth for more than ten consecutive years.

　　"In 1979, I came to China for the first time. At that time, the contribution rate of China's economy to world economic growth may not be less than 2%." Yu Bai said that at that time, China's economic strength was still greater than that of neighboring countries and regions. gap.

　　Yu Bai said that after more than 40 years of rapid development, China's economy has now become one of the world's economic powers, and its contribution to the world economy is increasing day by day.

In the next 15 years, China's economy is expected to reach a new level and make more contributions to the world economy.

　　"China has used more than 40 years of economic development to create a new situation for itself." He emphasized that the current momentum of anti-globalization and protectionism is on the rise, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in a "crisis", and reforms urgently need to be changed. Help more.

He expects China to continue to play its role and play its full role in international multilateral cooperation.

EU-China cooperation still needs some political space

　　In recent years, the economic and trade relations between the EU and China have become increasingly close.

Especially last year, the EU and China's trade in goods grew in both directions despite the epidemic, and China replaced the United States as the EU's largest trade partner in goods for the first time.

At the same time, some key economic and trade cooperation are also on the agenda.

　　On March 1, 2021, the China-EU Geographical Indication Protection and Cooperation Agreement formally came into effect. This is the first large-scale mutual recognition of geographical indications between China and Europe.

"This agreement provides a high level of protection for European geographical indication products in the Chinese market and Chinese geographical indication products in the European market." Yu Bai said, "This has brought benefits to European and Chinese consumers and the entire society. "

　　When talking about the progress of the current China-EU investment agreement, Yu Bai said that both parties still believe that these cooperations are of great significance, whether privately or in public, which symbolizes a step forward in the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

"We want to see progress in the agreement, but to do this, both sides need some political space."

　　Yu Bai also pointed out that in the context of the current pandemic of the new crown pneumonia, the movement of people is subject to many restrictions, and business exchanges between European and Chinese companies will inevitably be affected.

He hoped that the enterprises of both sides would resume normal economic and trade exchanges as soon as possible, and at the same time, both sides should provide more convenience to each other.

Looking forward to China, the United States and Europe returning to the negotiating table

　　Facing the uncertain risks of the global economy, Yu Bai believes that the return of China, the United States and Europe to the negotiating table is the common expectation of all parties, and it is also vital to the development of the global economy.

　　"Listening to each other is very important." He pointed out, "Affected by the epidemic, we always speak to the screen. This has lasted almost a year and a half. We need more interactive communication."

　　He said that although the epidemic has been controlled in some countries, no one is safe until everyone is safe.

"No matter what happens, we are all in the same boat."

　　"What we need to do is to reconnect, rebuild unity, give tolerance, embrace each other, and limit the development of unilateralism." Yu Bai said.

　　Currently, vaccination in Europe is rapidly spreading. Yu Bai said that before the end of this summer, 60% or more of adults in Europe are expected to be vaccinated.

At the same time, travel between European countries will gradually resume.

According to economists, the European economy may achieve a strong growth of 4% to 6% this year.

　　He emphasized that in addition to Europe, the economies of China and the United States are also recovering rapidly, and economic growth is expected to continue to improve. If China, the United States and Europe can return to the negotiating table to discuss and formulate interactive rules, this will be the development of the global economy. Gospel.

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