Authors: Mikołaj Woźniak, Konrad Falkowski. Content support: Łukasz Kobierski
2.10. China threat to the Lithuanian energy sector
In early October, a Lithuanian LRT broadcaster reported words Minister for Energy in the current Lithuanian government regarding the risks of Chinese components being present in the country's energy infrastructure. Žygimantas Vaičiūnas stated: “We are looking for solutions and ways to prevent risks to our energy sector. I mean in peculiar inverters, converters and another elements of the system. any regulatory decisions have already been taken to this end, adding that "China remains a threat". These words do not aid in a broader strategy to improve Lithuania's relations with China, but at the same time show the firmness of the Lithuanian rulers who do not intend to "demeanor to normalise these relations" (which the Lithuanian authorities have pointed out respective times). The head of the energy department besides said that "the ball is on the side of China" if they truly want to resume diplomatic relations with Lithuania, but on the issue of energy security," stresses Vaičiūnas – Vilnius remains firm. He besides noted that avoiding Chinese equipment could slow down the improvement of renewable energy projects.
It is worth noting that Lithuania is consistently implementing the hazard simplification assumptions in this case and to become independent of the People's Republic of China in June this year. signed with Vietnam, the Energy Cooperation Agreement.
3.10. Belgian police officer accused of spying on the PRC
3 October POLITICO portal reported to detain a Belgian safety officer for alleged espionage. His home was searched the same day. However, the investigating justice later released him under strict conditions, which meant he was under full control. It was expected to be confirmed by 2 people connected to the case. 1 of them announced that the allegations active spying for the People's Republic of China and was to be dealt with by a more indeterminate safety officer. The railroad was recruited "because of access to Brussels diplomatic circles".
A week later, Belgian RTBF broadcaster published an article extending cognition on the above subject. The detainee turned out to be a policeman of the Capital Region of Brussels, more specifically the municipality of Ixelles. The charges against him are a spy activity for China and Russia. Investigators are trying to find whether a police officer presented or made available images of opponents of the Chinese and Russian government during a demonstration held in Brussels. If this is confirmed, then it will be essential to find whether the individual active in espionage acted consciously or was utilized without his knowledge. The police in Brussels stated that "an interior investigation is presently underway" and that "appropriate measures will be taken on the basis of its findings". The national prosecutors in turn refused to comment on the case, as reported by RTBF.
4.10. Confusion around Nexperia
4 October Chinese Ministry of Commerce introduced export restrictions on selected components and components manufactured by Nexperia in Chinese plants. This decision was interpreted as a reaction to increasing tensions concerning the ownership of the company and possible European interference in its activities. In practice, this decision hampered the export of parts of Nexperia products from China and raised concerns about the stableness of global semiconductor supply chains.
A fewer days later, October 13, the Dutch government announced take emergency measures and temporarily take control of Nexperia. The decision was justified by reasons of national safety and the request to defend key technologies. The Dutch authorities referred to provisions allowing the State to intervene in situations of threat to strategical economical interests. This step has sparked a wide global response, including the peculiar discontent of the Chinese side. On the same day spokeswoman of Chinese MFA Lin Jian statedthat it is not a suitable origin to talk in item on this subject, but stressed that "China always opposes the abuse of national safety concepts and the taking of discriminatory actions aimed at companies from circumstantial countries". Thus, the PRC indicates that the ‘competent country’, i.e. in this case the Netherlands, should follow free marketplace rules and not politicise trade issues.
On October 14, the Chinese side turned its discontent into a real move: Beijing introduced formal ban on exports of Nexperia products from Chinese territory. The company itself confirmed the existence of restrictions and acted to get exceptions for any contracts. 17 October media reportedthat the Dutch were in the mediate of talks with the Chinese about export control imposed on the Chinese maker of integrated circuits. On 18 October, Nexperia China branch released a message in which he stressed that his activities were governed by Chinese law and that the company in China has the right to make independent operational decisions. This communication was read as an effort to guarantee the stableness of workers and contractors, but besides as a signal of a increasing gap between the office in the Netherlands and local leadership in China.
In the second half of the month, tension remained high. Dutch Minister of Economy Vincent Karremans reportedThat he spoke to Chinese officials to find a solution to the Nexperia issue. According to Karremans, the Chinese look at "The Netherlands as part of an alliance with the US", but he added that the Dutch government's goal is to prevent "the erstwhile Chinese president from transferring business and intellectual property outside Europe". 23 October Nexperia China published another message in which it referred to the ongoing dispute and called for its peaceful resolution, stressing the request to respect local rules.
At the end of the month, the problem began to affect industry. 29 October European automotive associations and car manufacturers warning before possible downtimes in production resulting from components supply interruptions from Nexperia. The semiconductor sector is crucial for the automotive manufacture and any disruption immediately translates into production constraints.
31 October There's been reports of the suspension of shipments of certain products, including semiconductor wafers, from Europe to the Dongguan plant. In response, the European Union and the Commission on Technology and manufacture have launched diplomatic actions to find a solution to the conflict. Under the EU Chips Act, a peculiar task force was proposed to aid keep the continuity of production and scope a compromise between the parties.
8.10. Wang Yi in Rome
On 8 October China's abroad Minister Wang Yi visited the capital of Italy, where he met with his counterpart – Antonio Tajani and a day later with president Segio Mattarella. Wang's arrival was related to the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Italy-China. According to the Italian MFA Communication, "the committee is the main driving force behind the Global strategical Partnership (created in 2004) and aims to advance cooperation between the various sectors of the Partnership". The last specified gathering took place in Beijing in early September 2023. Moreover, the gathering was an chance to "review the state of bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation in many areas". economical and trade relations can be mentioned above all. To this end, 3 working teams were set up to make positions on the following bilateral issues: economy and finance; culture and civilian society; science, technology and higher education.
On a more political issue, Tajani and Wang They were talking. on the ongoing armed conflicts in the world, especially those in the mediate East and Ukraine. Tajani stated that he and his Chinese counterpart found “a will to work for peace”. He further said that he believed that "Italy and China can play a crucial function in peace building". What is crucial in this substance is the announcement that Beijing decided to support the Italian-promoted thought of global truce Olympic related to the nearest Winter Games in Italy. Further, the Italian minister stressed in the context of the Palestinian War that both his country and China "signed the fresh York Declaration on the implementation of the two-state solution" and both parties are obliged to supply humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. According to Tajani, China's support for the Olympic truce "can be truly convincing besides for the Russian Federation".
However, a crucial part of the discussions afraid the issues of bilateral trade and economical relations, so among the members of the Italian delegation were representatives of companies originating in the country, specified as Unione Italiana Vini, the Association of Automotive manufacture (Anfia) and Zambon Pharma. Tajani noted that Italy had set itself the goal of "increasing investment and exports to China", and besides put "a large emphasis on tourism". Here is the presentation plan establishing a direct air link between Beijing and Venice. This will be the second specified connection (the first is Shanghai-Venice). According to Tajani, "commercial flights are highly crucial and service to intensify and balance trade and investment". In turn, its Chinese counterpart stated that China "will proceed to open up its colossal marketplace by offering fresh opportunities for cooperation to Italy and another countries".
Analyzing message from this event published by the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the PRC, it is clear that issues relating to the improvement of bilateral economical and trade relations have besides been raised. Wang stated that "China and Italy, as comprehensive strategical partners, should keep close contacts, trust each another and support each other, and address their most crucial problems". Moreover, the Chinese are willing to cooperate with Italy in sectors specified as green development, digital economy, the aerospace manufacture and artificial intelligence. The head of the Chinese MFA further stated that China and Italy, as representatives of “the ancient civilizations of the East and the West”, should cultivate wisdom derived from this historical heritage, especially in the present world, in which “changes and stormy events are closely linked”. In this context, both countries should work for planet peace and stableness and make efforts to advance a "fairer and equal strategy of global governance" – the Minister Wang described today.
The Communication did not present the position of the People's Republic of China towards the war in Ukraine. He simply mentioned that it was Tajani who expressed his country's willingness to step up cooperation with China to "share the promotion of a peaceful solution to issues specified as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukrainian crisis".
A day later Wang met with Italian president Serge Mattarella. As part of the meeting, akin subjects were discussed as the day before with the Italian head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs. However, it is worth noting that Wang in this case, according to the authoritative Chinese communication, mentioned respective times the initiatives announced by the president of the PRC Xi Jinping, for example the Global Management Initiative. According to the Chinese narrative, Mattarella welcomed these initiatives, stating that "they full respond to the needs of the global community and the aspirations of people in all countries." In addition, issues relating to conflicts in the world, i.e. mainly in the mediate East and Ukraine, were raised (using the word "crisis in Ukraine"). Both sides stood for a two-state solution in the context of Israel and Palestine. As far as Ukraine is concerned, China and Italy will "keep in contact on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis".
15.10. Albares in Beijing
Meeting of the Spanish Minister for abroad Affairs José Manuel Albares Bueno with China abroad Minister Wang Yi held On October 15 this year in Hangzhou. The talks took place in the context of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategical partnership between the 2 countries.
In the political sphere Wang Yi stressedthat the improvement strategies of Spain and China are compatible and cooperation between them can contribute to strengthening global peace. The Chinese side stressed the desire to keep partnerships based on common respect, dialog and the long-term perspective. Albares confirmed Spain's commitment to the rule of ‘one China’ and recognised the function of the PRC as an crucial actor in the global strategy and a permanent associate of the UN safety Council. Both parties agreed that relations should be viewed strategically and developed despite differences arising from different political systems and traditions.
Much of the discussion was devoted to economical and investment cooperation. The Chinese side encouraged Spanish companies to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Chinese market, peculiarly in areas of ecological and digital transformation. Minister Albares pointed out the request to enhance the balance of trade and to guarantee that Spanish firms have a level playing field for marketplace access and investment in China. Both sides announced the launch of a fresh format of intergovernmental meetings to deepen the structure of cooperation and improve dialog at organization level.
Cooperation in education, culture and tourism has besides been an crucial subject of discussion. The participants stressed the importance of academic and cultural exchanges to strengthen links between the societies of both countries. The Chinese side expressed its willingness to extend visa-free policy towards Spain, which aims to facilitate people-to-people contacts and support the improvement of bi-directional tourism.
In the area of global cooperation, both countries confirmed their commitment to the principles of multilateralism and the United Nations-based system. Exceptionally in this case, the Chinese side mentioned the issue of war in Ukraine, not the European side. The authoritative message from the Spanish MFA does not propose that Albares should address this problem. The entry published by the Chinese Ministry, on the another hand, wrote in 1 sentence: "Both sides besides held a detailed exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis, the mediate East peace process and another global and regional issues of common interest".
23.10. Another package of EU sanctions affects Chinese actors
23 October this year the European Union implemented in force another 19th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation in connection with its aggression towards Ukraine. The key elements of this package should be the ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) – for long-term contracts from 1 January 2027, short-term contracts within 6 months of entry into force and the extension of sanctions to include energy, banking, commercial or cryptocurrency sectors. However, what is more crucial from the position of the Review, Union sanctions have re-emerged entities from the People's Republic of China – this time 2 Chinese refineries and 1 oil trader. They were indicated as a crucial recipient of Russian oil. These are the following: enterprises: Liaoyang Petrochemical Company, Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Chinaoil (Hong Kong) corp Limited (registered in Hong Kong for PetroChina). In addition, the package indicates that 45 fresh entrants were added as supporting circumvention, of which 12 in China (including Hong Kong). The sanctions are both energy (purchases of Russian oil by Chinese refineries/traders) and technological (entities in China helping Russia access military technologies or circumventing sanctions).
The day after this announcement, i.e. 24 October, to the above case She referred Chinese website through its Ministry of Commerce. A spokesperson for the Ministry stated that despite Chinese warnings, the EU has brought further Chinese companies under sanctions against Russia and so "China powerfully condemns and opposes this move". Moreover, he stated that "China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions which have no basis in global law and have not been approved by the United Nations", whereas the European Union's activities are contrary to the spirit of cooperation and undermines the overall commercial and economical relation between China and the EU. Therefore, in the words of the spokesman, China first called on the European side to "stifle placing Chinese companies on the [sanction] list immediately" and secondly "take all essential measures to powerfully defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies as well as their own energy safety and economical development".
24.10. German MFA cancels visit to China
24 October Press spokesperson for the German abroad Ministry Kathryn Deschauer transmitted information on the postponement scheduled for the 26th of October. The reason for specified a decision was the deficiency of confirmation by the Chinese side of a larger number of gathering the German abroad Minister in Beijing – only a conversation with Wang Yi – the Chinese counterpart of Wadephula was established. However, which did not change the fact that Germany wanted to have a dialog with the Chinese. Deschauer said: “There are many things we would like to discuss with our Chinese counterparts, especially these days. By diversifying our economy and supply chains and strengthening our competitiveness, we want to work with China. At the same time, German companies are profoundly afraid about trade restrictions, especially in the uncommon earth metals and semiconductors sector." A minute later, she noted that Asian and European safety is closely correlated, referring to Russia's attack on Ukraine and China's importance in this matter. "It is in our interest that China should contribute to a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. No another country has specified an impact on Russia," she told journalists. Deschauer further confirmed Berlin's partnership attitude towards Beijing's relationship, despite postponement of a scheduled visit over time. Finally, the talker reported that the head of German diplomacy "is planning to hold a detailed telephone conference with her Chinese counterpart soon".
On October 27, in consequence to a question by a writer from the German press agency (DPA), a spokesperson for the Chinese abroad Ministry Guo Jiakun addressed the case. Requested comment said: “China always sees and develops its relation with Germany from a strategical and long-term perspective. [...] Under the present circumstances, it is peculiarly crucial that both parties keep common respect, equality and cooperation that benefits both parties and make bilateral relations on the right track.’
25.10. German SPD politician on the request for a fresh strategy towards China
Just a day after moving to China, Johanna Wadephula, head of German diplomacy, Adis Ahmetovic, serving as a press spokesperson for the Social Democratic organization of Germany (SPD) for abroad policy statedthat "a short-term cancellation of a journey to China does not bode well for improving the strained German-Chinese relations". He further stated that Germany needed to rethink its strategy towards the People's Republic of China. "More than ever, we request an active strategical abroad policy that focuses on dialogue, clarity and long-term interests," added Ahmetovic.
For the above words reaction Chinese website via the “Global Times” journal. According to Zhao Chen, a investigator at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, "Ahmetovic's statements reflect Germany's interior appeal to resume discussions on Germany's strategy towards China". He continued to comment on the existing division on the German political scene concerning the perception of the PRC: "Some see China as a competitor to be opposed, while others believe that, without closer cooperation with China, German manufacture and the economy will be exposed to further burdens". Moreover, he believes that the words of Ahmetovic constitute a "constructive voice in Germany that calls for a more rational approach".
27.10. Costa-Li gathering in Kuala Lumpur
On October 27, the gathering of president of the European Council Antonio Costa and Prime Minister Li Qianga of the PRC took place on the side of this year's ASEAN summit. Both were invited as representatives of the parties cooperating with the South Asian organization. W Communication The European Council has announced that Costa has discussed bilateral EU-China relations and global issues with Li. He stressed the importance of a constructive and unchangeable relation between the Union and the Chinese, as well as the EU's willingness to step up cooperation in the global problem-solving framework. In Costa's view, climate action must stay a precedence for both the European Union and the People's Republic of China, especially in view of the forthcoming climate summit in Brazil. The president of the European Council noted that concrete advancement was needed with respect to the demands of the fresh EU-China Summit, the most crucial of which is "to reconstruct balance in trade and economical relations". Another subject of the discussion was the Chinese control of exports of critical natural materials and related goods and technologies. Costa expressed his "deep concern" here and called for "the restoration of liquid, reliable and predictable supply chains as shortly as possible". Moreover, the European side could not ignore the problems of war in Ukraine. Costa in this case expressed his hope that China would aid with its completion. "This war represents an existential threat to EU security. The EU will proceed to increase force on Russia", stated president Costa at the end.
The Chinese besides published an appropriate event message. Its content shows that Prime Minister Li, during the discussion, noted, among others, that "the current Chinese-EU relations are facing both opportunities and improvement challenges, and both sides should keep the right course in developing common relations, strengthen the foundations of common political assurance and further implement their consensus". He then stated that China was ready to work with the EU to make bilateral relations, including the promotion of optimised and sustainable trade development, and to deepen bilateral environmental and digital relations. In his view, equality and respect are the basis for promoting settlement through dialog and consultation of disputes within the economy and trade between China and the EU. Li expressed his hope that the European side would supply a fair, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies operating in the European Union. The Chinese note does not address – unlike European – issues related to the war in Ukraine at all.
