Spokesperson's Remarks｜China ready to expand opening up and cooperation with international community

China stands ready to work with the international community, including the EU, to step up communication and coordination, share development opportunities, expand opening up and cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday.

Lin's remarks came as China and the EU, both major economies in the world, have recently had quite a lot of high-level exchanges as world is closely following the devastating impact of the Trump administration's tariff hikes on other countries.

Lin said that the U.S. uses tariff as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains, and puts its own interests over the public good of the international community. This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, which severely hurts the interests of China, the EU and the rest of the world.

Lin noted that as the second and third largest economies, China and the EU collectively account for over one third of the global economy and more than a quarter of global trade. Both sides are advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, and firm defenders and supporters of the WTO. The head of the EU underscored the vital importance of stability and certainty for a sound global economy. China and the EU are committed to a fair, free and WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and the sound and steady development of global trade and economic relations, which is in the interest of both sides and the rest of the world.

Lin pointed out that as a responsible major country, China has already taken resolute measures and will continue to do so to safeguard its legitimate interests.

"We will not only safeguard respective interests, but also defend international trade rules, fairness and justice." Lin said. (By Ma Ziqian/China Youth Daily)