First stop in Beijing for Xavier Bettel and Lex Delles on their economic mission to the People's Republic of China

The programme for this first stop in Beijing included high-level political meetings. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and the Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, held a bilateral meeting with Ding Xuexiang, First Deputy Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China. Minister Bettel also had a working meeting, followed by a working lunch, with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Meanwhile, Minister Delles met Zhao Chenxin, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.

These high-level talks enabled an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations between China and Luxembourg in the political, economic, commercial and cultural spheres. Discussions focused in particular on bilateral cooperation on industrial policy, technological innovation and the energy and ecological transition. The discussions' purpose was to explore the potential for developing economic cooperation in the main sectors covered by this economic mission —logistics, clean technologies, the automotive industry, finance, and green finance.

Several issues linked to relations between the European Union and China were also discussed, including cooperation in the fight against climate change, access to the Chinese market for European companies and trade relations.

Minister Xavier Bettel stated: 'Despite the geographical distance that separates our two countries and the fact that our two peoples have adopted different systems of governance, our relations remain based on mutually beneficial cooperation and mutual respect. Luxembourg ranks among the most open countries in the world, with an economy and governance based on the rule of law, international cooperation and multilateralism. In an increasingly difficult global context, we will continue our commitment to a fairer, more equitable, more sustainable and more peaceful world. With this in mind, dialogue with China is essential: China remains a key player, be it in trade, the fight against climate change, regional security or the governance of artificial intelligence. We also discussed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the importance of respecting international law and the United Nations Charter – everywhere and at all times. The important role that China can play in achieving a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine was also discussed in this context, as was the human rights situation in China.'

Minister Delles also attended the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), set up in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and supply chain disruptions. The second edition of this international trade fair, which brings together participants from over 100 countries, focused on sectors such as clean energy, smart cars, advanced technologies, supply chain services and health technologies. After attending the official opening ceremony attended in the presence of the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China, Han Zhen, a guided tour of the fair was included in the programme. Minister Lex Delles visited the booths of around ten innovative Chinese companies, as well as the booth of the Luxembourg company IEE.

Lex Delles then gave the welcoming address at the Luxembourg-China Business Forum Beijing, organised by the Chamber of Commerce in close collaboration with the Ministry of the Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Luxinnovation. The forum brought together more than 60 representatives of Chinese companies and more than 50 participants from Luxembourg companies. The forum focused on the logistics and international supply chain sectors.

The Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, commented on the first part of the economic mission to China: ‘The many crises of recent years have shown the extent to which the disruption of supply chains is having an impact on our societies, especially, but not only, in terms of inflation. We are at a key moment where the dual transition to green and digital requires these supply chains to be strengthened. International cooperation is crucial to tackling current and future challenges, especially for open economies like ours. Our various exchanges, both with Chinese political representatives and economic players, have enabled us to identify new opportunities for our economy and explore collaborations in logistics, mobility, renewable energy and green technologies.'

The two ministers also held an exchange of views with representatives of European companies, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and European ambassadors posted to China. A welcome reception, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, was also part of the programme on arrival in Beijing.

The Luxembourg delegation will now head to Shanghai for the second part of the economic mission.

Press release by the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade