The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

In responses to media inquiries concerning China-EU trade and economic ties, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to exercise restraint, refrain from protectionist moves and focus on settling issues through dialogue and consultation.

A Chinese expert said on Thursday that the intense response by the MOFCOM suggested that the Chinese side is taking the EU's rising protectionist moves seriously, and the EU should return to a pragmatic approach and provide a fair business environment for Chinese companies for its own sake amid slow economic growth.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, He Yadong, a MOFCOM spokesperson, announced that China and the EU have started consultations on the electric vehicle case.

"China's principles and position remain consistent, and it is willing to properly address differences with the EU through dialogue and consultations to advance an industry-wide solution," He said.

When asked to comment on an opinion piece by French President Emmanuel Macron published in the Financial Times, in which Macron claimed that during his last visit to China, he made it clear that "either we rebalance economic relations co-operatively, or Europe will have no choice but to adopt more protectionist measures," the MOFCOM spokesperson said that China has always maintained that the essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is complementary advantages and mutual benefit.

China-EU economic and trade cooperation is the result of a combination of factors, including differences in the economic development stages and industrial structures of both sides, as well as changes in market demand, the spokesperson said.

He said that since the beginning of this year, the EU has launched 12 trade remedy investigations and three foreign subsidy investigations against China, and has barred multiple Chinese companies from participating in public procurement and greenfield investment projects in EU member states. 

"It is hoped that the EU will work with China to uphold the important consensus reached at the China-EU leaders' meeting, jointly oppose protectionism, maintain open markets, exercise restraint and prudence in using restrictive trade and economic tools, and provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to conduct trade and investment cooperation in Europe," the spokesperson said. 

In particular, on account of the European side's recent intensive foreign subsidies regulation (FSR) investigations into multiple Chinese companies, He said China strongly opposes recent moves taken by the European Commission, and vowed to take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

"We urge the European side to immediately cease the unwarranted suppression of foreign-invested companies, including those from China, and to exercise caution when employing FSR investigative tools, in order to create a fair, just and predictable business environment for companies operating in Europe," the spokesperson said.

Also, asked to confirm reports that China has started to issue rare-earth export licenses with longer validity to Europe, the MOFCOM spokesperson said that the ministry has received and approved applications from some Chinese exporters for general export licenses for rare-earth-related items.

Zhang Jian, a vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Thursday that the intense response by the MOFCOM carries an unequivocal message: There is deep dissatisfaction with the EU's rising use of discriminatory practices against Chinese companies.

"The EU needs to return to rationality and pragmatism, or its already highly challenging economic situation will only worsen," Zhang said.

The EU should recognize that overcoming its economic difficulties requires strengthening cooperation with China, the expert noted, adding that rejecting the Chinese market and investment would be tantamount to economic suicide for the EU.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. 

A November report released by the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU and global management consultancy Roland Berger noted that "uncertainty" remains a defining feature of Chinese enterprises' operations in Europe, with enterprises calling for a fair, transparent, and predictable market environment to restore confidence and facilitate stable growth.

The report, based on four months of surveys and in-depth interviews with 205 Chinese companies and organizations operating in the EU, urged both sides - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties - to take concrete steps to rebuild trust. 

It urged the EU to implement practical measures that strengthen cooperation, while avoiding an overextension of the "economic security" agenda that could hinder commercial collaboration.

According to Eurostat, bilateral trade in goods reached 732.2 billion euros ($857.87 billion) in 2024, down 1.6 percent year-on-year amid weak global demand yet demonstrating resilience.

Data showed that Chinese foreign direct investment into Europe rebounded significantly in 2024, with the focus shifting eastward and Hungary capturing a substantial share. As of the end of 2024, nearly 3,000 Chinese-invested enterprises were operating across all 27 EU member states, employing more than 260,000 local staff, the report said.

In the third quarter, the EU's GDP rose by 1.5 percent year-on-year, according to Eurostat.