In response to recent remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called on the European side to adopt a rational and objective view of China’s development. Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, March 24, he urged Europe to abandon a “zero-sum” mindset and avoid protectionist measures.
The comments came as the European Union (EU) and Australia signed a new free trade agreement, with von der Leyen emphasizing the importance of mineral partnerships and reducing dependency on any single country. She also criticized China’s export-driven growth model and what she described as excess production capacity.
Responding to these remarks, Lin Jian stated that international trade is inherently a two-way process driven by market choices, where cooperation benefits all parties involved. He noted that the EU itself maintains a favorable trade surplus in its external trade, while China’s high-quality and innovative products have enriched global supply chains and supported the expansion of international trade and industrial development.
Lin stressed that China does not deliberately pursue trade surpluses. “In reality, around 40 percent of exports produced by European companies operating in China are re-exported back to Europe,” he said. “Although China may record a surplus in such trade, the primary profits go to the investors.”
He further emphasized that China aims not only to remain the “world’s factory” but also to become a “global marketplace.” Lin expressed hope that Europe would move away from zero-sum thinking, refrain from protectionist actions, and work with China to seize opportunities arising from the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Such cooperation, he noted, would help promote balanced and sustainable growth in global trade.
Source: Shishir-Touhid-Anandi, China Media Group.