Xi's Unified Market Agenda - New Rules for Chinese Employees in Foreign Missions - TikTok Deal & Chips Friction - Wang Yi's Poland Visit
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Page 1: Let’s begin with Xi Jinping’s article in Qiushi on building a unified national market. This article is an extract from Xi’s speech at the Sixth meeting of the 20th Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission on July 1, 2025. Xi wrote:
“Building a unified national market is a major decision made by the Party Central Committee. In recent years, we have successively issued the ‘Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Unified National Market’ and a series of supporting measures, which have promoted the construction of a unified national market and achieved positive results. However, overall, this task remains arduous, and the construction of a unified national market faces numerous difficulties and obstacles. Building a unified national market is not only necessary for building the new development pattern and promoting high-quality development, but also for gaining the initiative in international competition. As the world’s second-largest consumer market, China must build a well-developed unified national market to strengthen our confidence in calmly responding to risks and challenges. 建设全国统一大市场，是党中央作出的重大决策。近年来，我们相继出台《关于加快建设全国统一大市场的意见》及系列配套措施，推动全国统一大市场建设取得积极成效。但总体来看，这项任务仍很艰巨，全国统一大市场建设面临不少困难和阻力。建设全国统一大市场，不仅是构建新发展格局、推动高质量发展的需要，而且是赢得国际竞争主动权的需要。我国作为全球第二大消费市场，必须把全国统一大市场建设好，增强我们从容应对风险挑战的底气.
The fundamental requirements for deepening the construction of a unified national market are ‘five unifications and one opening’ (五统一、一开放). The ‘five unifications’ refer to:
unifying basic market institutions, particularly those related to property rights protection, fair competition, and quality standards;
unifying market infrastructure, streamlining logistics, capital flows, and information flows, and strengthening the modern commercial circulation system;
unifying the standards for government behavior, ensuring that local governments have clear rules for what they can and cannot do when promoting economic development, especially attracting investment, and that they cannot act independently;
unifying market supervision and law enforcement, clarifying the criteria for administrative penalties, and ensuring a consistent standard for all measures; and
unifying the market for factor resources, promoting free flow and efficient allocation, and reducing resource mismatches and idleness.
The ‘one opening’ refers to continuously expanding opening up, integrating domestic and international efforts, and avoiding closed-door operations. 纵深推进全国统一大市场建设，基本要求是“五统一、一开放”。“五统一”，就是统一市场基础制度，特别是实现产权保护、公平竞争、质量标准等制度的统一；统一市场基础设施，打通物流、资金流、信息流，健全现代商贸流通体系；统一政府行为尺度，地方在推动经济发展特别是招商引资时，哪些能干哪些不能干有明确规矩，不能各行其是；统一市场监管执法，明确市场监管行政处罚裁量基准，一把尺子量到底；统一要素资源市场，促进自由流动、高效配置，减少资源错配和闲置浪费。“一开放”，就是持续扩大开放，实行对内对外开放联通，不搞封闭运行.
To implement these basic requirements, the most urgent task at present is to focus on key difficulties and make a resolute decision to eliminate stubborn, chronic problems.
First, focus on rectifying the chaotic phenomenon of low-price, disorderly competition among enterprises. Areas severely affected by ‘involution’ must be effectively governed in accordance with laws and regulations. Better leverage the self-regulatory role of industry associations to guide enterprises in improving product quality, prioritising quality over price, and opposing low prices and inferior quality. Promote the orderly withdrawal of obsolete production capacity to achieve dynamic market clearance. Implement integrated online and offline governance.
Second, focus efforts on rectifying disorder in government procurement bidding. Focus on rectifying prominent problems such as lowest-price winning bids, passing off inferior goods as superior ones, and collusion of interests. Standardise government procurement and bidding processes, strengthen fairness review of winning bids, improve normal enterprise appeal channels, and perfect complaint handling mechanisms.
Third, focus on rectifying the disorder in local investment attraction. Develop a nationwide list of local investment promotion activities, clearly defining which practices are encouraged and which are prohibited. Establish and improve a standardised fiscal subsidy policy system. Strengthen the disclosure of investment promotion information. Severely punish violations after verification.
Fourth, focus on promoting the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade. Streamline the channels for converting exports to domestic sales, improve the alignment of domestic and international standards, build a comprehensive service platform for integrated domestic and foreign trade, cultivate a group of high-quality domestic and foreign trade enterprises, and launch the ‘Foreign Trade Quality Products China Tour’ campaign.
Fifth, focus on addressing shortcomings in laws and regulations. Revise and improve laws and regulations such as the Bidding Law and the Price Law, and strengthen the rigid constraints of institutional standards. Continue to carry out special operations to standardise law enforcement involving enterprises. Improve the fiscal and taxation system, statistical accounting system, and credit system that are conducive to market unification.
Sixth, focus efforts on correcting deviations in performance outlook. Improve high-quality development assessment systems and cadre performance evaluation systems. For behaviours such as disorderly investment attraction, engaging in local protectionism, and new officials not honouring old commitments, timely criticism and recertification should be carried out, and those with serious nature should be held strictly accountable.
落实这些基本要求，当前最急迫的是聚焦重点难点，下决心清除顽瘴痼疾。第一，着力整治企业低价无序竞争乱象。“内卷”重灾区，要依法依规有效治理。更好发挥行业协会自律作用，引导企业提升产品品质，实行优质优价，反对低价劣质。推动落后产能有序退出，实现市场动态出清。线上线下一体治理。第二，着力整治政府采购招标乱象。重点整治最低价中标、以次充好、利益勾连等突出问题。规范政府采购和招标投标，加强对中标结果的公平性审查，健全企业正常申诉渠道，完善投诉处理机制。第三，着力整治地方招商引资乱象。要制定全国统一的地方招商引资行为清单，明确鼓励和禁止的具体行为。建立健全规范的财政补贴政策体系。加强招商引资信息披露。对违规行为查实后要严肃处理。第四，着力推动内外贸一体化发展。畅通出口转内销路径，提高国内国际标准一致性，建设内外贸一体化综合服务平台，培育一批内外贸优质企业，开展“外贸优品中华行”活动。第五，着力补齐法规制度短板。修改完善招标投标法、价格法等法律法规，强化制度标准的刚性约束。持续开展规范涉企执法专项行动。健全有利于市场统一的财税体制、统计核算制度和信用体系。第六，着力纠治政绩观偏差。完善高质量发展考核体系和干部政绩考核评价体系。对违规招商引资、搞地方保护、新官不理旧账等行为，及时批评纠正，对性质恶劣的严肃追究责任.
Building a unified national market is both a tough battle and a protracted war. All regions and departments must grasp implementation from a political and overall perspective. Central and local governments, local governments with each other, government and enterprises, enterprises with each other must all strengthen coordination and cooperation to form a combined force for advancement. 建设全国统一大市场，既是攻坚战，也是持久战，各地区各部门要从政治和全局高度抓好落实。中央和地方、地方和地方、政府和企业、企业和企业都要加强协调配合，形成推进合力.
Back to the front page, there’s a Jīn Shè Píng article on the idea of building a unified national market. I am not detailing this.
there’s a report on new regulations on Chinese employees in foreign diplomatic missions. This document, which is available on Page 7, has 12 articles The Regulation comes into effect on January 1, 2025.
Article 4: The employment of Chinese employees by foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China shall be subject to centralised management. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for guiding and coordinating the management of Chinese national employees nationwide. Units entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and competent foreign affairs departments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government (hereinafter collectively referred to as competent foreign affairs service units) are respectively responsible for managing Chinese national employees of foreign diplomatic representative institutions in China and Chinese national employees of foreign consular institutions in China within their respective administrative regions. Relevant departments such as human resources and social security, taxation, market supervision and management, public security, and national security shall cooperate in doing the related work of Chinese national employee management within their respective scopes of responsibilities. 第四条 外国驻华外交领事机构雇用中国籍雇员实行归口管理。 外交部负责指导、协调全国的中国籍雇员管理工作。 外交部委托的单位和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府外事主管部门（以下统称外事服务主管单位）分别负责外国驻中国的外交代表机构中国籍雇员和本行政区域内外国驻中国的领事机构中国籍雇员管理。 人力资源社会保障、税务、市场监督管理、公安、国家安全等有关部门在各自职责范围内配合做好中国籍雇员管理相关工作.
Article 5: Foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China shall publish job openings through the Chinese National Employee Human Resources Platform established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and select Chinese employees for recruitment based on their needs. 第五条 外国驻华外交领事机构通过外交部建立的中国籍雇员人力资源平台发布岗位需求信息，根据需要选择拟雇用的中国籍雇员.
Article 6: Foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China shall sign service agreements with foreign affairs service institutions designated by the competent local foreign affairs service units, specifying the protection of the rights and interests of Chinese national employees, applicable laws, dispute resolution, and foreign affairs service fees. Foreign affairs service agencies shall sign labour contracts with Chinese national employees, specifying the content of auxiliary and service work, including remuneration, performed by the employees at foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China. Foreign affairs service authorities and foreign affairs service agencies shall improve management levels and enhance service quality. 第六条 外国驻华外交领事机构与所在地外事服务主管单位指定的外事服务机构签订服务协议，明确中国籍雇员权益保障、法律适用、争议解决、外事服务费用等；外事服务机构与中国籍雇员签订劳动合同，明确其在外国驻华外交领事机构从事的辅助性、服务性等工作内容、劳动报酬等。 外事服务主管单位和外事服务机构应当提高管理水平，提升服务质量.
Article 7: After foreign affairs service institutions sign labour contracts with Chinese national employees, competent foreign affairs service units should issue Chinese national employee certificates to Chinese national employees as their work credentials. The format of Chinese national employee certificates shall be uniformly stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 第七条 外事服务机构与中国籍雇员签订劳动合同后，由外事服务主管单位向中国籍雇员发放中国籍雇员证，作为其工作证件。 中国籍雇员证式样由外交部统一规定.
Article 8: Chinese national employees shall abide by China’s laws and regulations, fulfill obligations stipulated in labour contracts, shall not engage in behaviours that endanger national security or damage social and public interests, nor shall they engage in activities as diplomatic representatives or consular officials. 第八条 中国籍雇员应当遵守中国的法律、法规，履行劳动合同规定的义务，不得实施危害国家安全、损害社会公共利益的行为，不得以外交代表、领事官员身份开展活动.
Article 9: Disputes arising from the service agreement specified in the first paragraph of Article 6 of these Regulations shall be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the service agreement; disputes arising from labour contracts shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law of the People’s Republic of China. 第九条 与本条例第六条第一款规定的服务协议有关的争议，按照服务协议约定的方式解决；与劳动合同有关的争议，依照《中华人民共和国劳动争议调解仲裁法》的规定处理.
Article 10: Except for institutions stipulated in this Regulation, no unit or individual may provide Chinese national employees employment services to foreign diplomatic and consular institutions in China. Without going through procedures stipulated in this Regulation, Chinese citizens may not privately accept employment by foreign diplomatic and consular institutions in China. Those who violate the provisions of this regulation shall be dealt with according to law by relevant departments coordinated by the competent foreign affairs service units. 第十条 除本条例规定的机构外，任何单位或者个人不得向外国驻华外交领事机构提供中国籍雇员雇用服务。非经本条例规定的程序，中国公民不得私自受雇于外国驻华外交领事机构。 违反本条例规定的，由外事服务主管单位协调有关部门依法予以处理.
Also on the front page is a report on August economic data; there’s also a detailed report on this on Page 2. I covered all of this yesterday. Another report informs that Li Xi is to visit Greece and Belarus from September 17 to 24.
Page 3: Let’s look at the outcomes of the US-China talks in Madrid. Vice Premier He Lifeng held talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and USTR Jameson Greer.
The report says:
“Guided by the important consensus reached during the call between the two presidents, the two sides had candid, in-depth, and constructive discussions on economic and trade issues of mutual concern. They reached a basic framework consensus on properly resolving TikTok-related issues through cooperation, reducing investment barriers, and promoting relevant economic and trade cooperation. The two sides will consult on the relevant outcome documents and carry out their respective domestic approval procedures.” 双方以两国元首通话重要共识为引领，就双方关注的经贸问题进行了坦诚、深入、富有建设性的沟通，就以合作方式妥善解决TikTok相关问题、减少投资障碍、促进有关经贸合作等达成了基本框架共识。双方将就相关成果文件进行磋商，并履行各自国内批准程序.
He said that China is unwavering in its determination to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and will resolutely safeguard national interests and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese-funded enterprises overseas. Regarding the TikTok issue, China will carry out technology export approval in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. At the same time, the Chinese government fully respects the wishes of Chinese overseas enterprises and supports them in conducting equal commercial negotiations with partners based on market principles. 何立峰表示，中方维护自身正当权益的决心坚定不移，将坚决维护国家利益和海外中资企业的合法权益。对于TikTok问题，中方将依法依规开展技术出口审批。同时，中国政府充分尊重我海外企业意愿，支持企业在符合市场原则基础上，与合作方开展平等商业谈判.
He pointed out that the essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and the two sides share broad space for cooperation and extensive common interests. Cooperation between China and the US benefits both, while confrontation hurts both. He expressed hope that the US side will work in the same direction as the Chinese side, cancel relevant restrictive measures against China as soon as possible, and jointly maintain the hard-won meeting results through concrete actions, creating a good atmosphere for the stable and sustained development of China-US economic and trade relations. 何立峰指出，中美经贸关系的本质是互利共赢，双方拥有广阔的合作空间和广泛的共同利益。中美合则两利、斗则俱伤。希望美方与中方相向而行，尽快取消有关对华限制措施，以实际行动共同维护来之不易的会谈成果，为中美经贸关系的稳定持续营造良好氛围.
The two sides agreed that a stable China-US economic and trade relationship is of great significance to both countries and has a significant impact on global economic stability and development. The two sides will continue to implement the important consensus reached during the call between the two heads of state and the outcomes of previous economic and trade talks, fully leverage the role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, continuously enhance consensus, resolve differences, strengthen cooperation, strive for more win-win results, promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations, and inject more stability into the world economy. 双方一致认为，稳定的中美经贸关系对两国意义重大，也对全球经济稳定和发展有着重要影响。双方将继续落实好两国元首通话重要共识和前期经贸会谈成果，充分发挥中美经贸磋商机制作用，不断增进共识、化解分歧、加强合作，争取更多双赢结果，促进中美经贸关系健康、稳定、可持续发展，为世界经济注入更多稳定性.
A separate report talks about the press briefing by the Chinese side, which discussed the TikTok framework. Xinhua’s report captures this bit well:
“Regarding the TikTok issue, China has always opposed politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of technology as well as economic and trade matters and will never seek to reach any agreement at the expense of principles, interests of companies, or international fairness and justice, Li Chenggang said. China will firmly safeguard the national interests, the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and carry out technology export approval in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, Li said, adding that the Chinese government also fully respects the will of enterprises and supports them in conducting business negotiations on an equal footing in accordance with market principles. During this meeting, the two sides engaged in candid and in-depth discussions on TikTok and the relevant concerns of the Chinese side, and the two sides reached a basic framework consensus on resolving issues related to TikTok through cooperation, reducing investment barriers and promoting relevant economic and trade cooperation, Li said. Both sides will continue to maintain close communication, discuss the details of the relevant outcome documents, and each will go through the domestic approval procedures, Li added.”
“At the press briefing, Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said both sides reached a basic consensus regarding the full respect for the will of the business as well as the law of the market on resolving the TikTok issue through such methods as the entrusted operation of TikTok’s U.S. user data and content security business, and the license for use of the algorithm and other intellectual property rights. The Chinese government will examine and approve relevant matters involving TikTok, such as the technology export and the license use of intellectual property, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, Wang added.”
The report adds:
“Meanwhile, Li said that the reason why the Chinese side agreed to a consensus is because, based on its assessment, China has come to the judgment that such a consensus is in their mutual interest. Li said the Chinese side has noted that the U.S. side is still continuously expanding sanctions against Chinese entities after a series of economic and trade consultations between the two countries. Li said that the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, and continuously expanded the list of sanctions against Chinese entities, with its long arm of jurisdiction reaching ever farther, which are a typical act of unilateral bullying that violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China firmly opposes this, and raised serious concerns to the U.S. side during the talks, Li added. The U.S. side cannot, on the one hand, ask China to take care of U.S. concerns, and on the other hand, continuously suppress Chinese enterprises, he said, adding that China urges the United States to correct its mistakes, lift these restrictions as soon as possible, and work with China to jointly safeguard the hard-won achievements of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations, so as to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.”
Also on the page, this exchange from yesterday’s MoFA press conference is published:
Xinhua News Agency: The U.S. has asked the G7 and NATO to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports over China’s purchases of Russian oil to facilitate China’s effort in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. What is China’s comment?
Lin Jian: It is fully legitimate and lawful for China to carry out normal economic, trade and energy cooperation with all countries, including Russia. What the U.S. has done is a typical move of unilateralism, bullying and economic coercion. It seriously disrupts the international trade rules and threatens the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Facts have proven that coercion and pressure win no hearts and minds, still less will they solve anything. China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the crisis. China has, since day one, held an objective and just position and promoted talks for peace. China firmly opposes relevant party directing the issue at China and abusing illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against China. If China’s legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests.
Another similar exchange from the Ministry of Commerce’s is also published, pushing back against the US threat of tariffs owing to Russian oil purchases and Russia-related issues. The Ministry said that US actions “seriously violate the consensus reached during the call between the leaders of China and the US and could have a severe impact on global trade and the stability of production and supply chains. China firmly opposes this. If any party harms China’s interests, China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
A couple of other reports worth noting in the context of the China-US talks:
China on Monday accused Nvidia of violating the country’s anti-monopoly law. The statement from SAMR, China’s market regulator, was made after what it said was a preliminary probe into Nvidia’s business practices. Reuters reports: “‘It’s a warning that if the U.S. export control paradigm operates in the same way as in the past several years there will be consequences, and China is willing to inflict damage on U.S. companies’, said Zhengyuan Bo, partner at research company Plenum. He added that SAMR’s preliminary ruling was likely a counter to the Trump administration's decision on Friday to place 23 Chinese companies on a U.S. trade blacklist.” The report adds that “the brief statement by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on Monday did not elaborate on how Nvidia might have violated China’s anti-monopoly laws, according to which companies can face fines of between 1% and 10% of their annual sales from the previous year. Five years ago, China had approved Nvidia’s deal to buy Israel's Mellanox Technologies with the condition that Nvidia would continue to supply the Chinese market with high-tech GPU chips. But the company was forced to end sales of its most advanced chips due to export controls implemented by the administration of former President Joe Biden. The SAMR on Monday added that it would continue its investigations.”
Xinhua also reports that China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday announced the launch of an anti-discrimination investigation into relevant U.S. measures targeting the country's integrated circuit sector, effective the same day. According to the ministry’s announcement, it has obtained preliminary evidence that the U.S. measures constitute prohibitive, restrictive or other like measures on a discriminatory basis under China's Foreign Trade Law. The investigation was initiated in accordance with the law. China will take corresponding measures against the United States based on the actual situation following the probe, a spokesperson for the ministry said when responding to a media inquiry about the investigation. China will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, said the spokesperson. The spokesperson said that the United States has, in recent years, implemented a series of prohibitions and restrictions against China in the integrated circuit field, such as Section 301 investigations and export control measures. These protectionist practices are suspected of discriminating against China and constitute the containment and suppression of China's development of high-tech industries such as advanced computing chips and artificial intelligence (AI), said the spokesperson. They not only harm China's development interests but also seriously undermine the stability of the global semiconductor industrial and supply chains, the spokesperson added. The probe will examine a range of U.S. policies. These include additional tariffs that have been or will be imposed on Chinese products, including integrated circuits, based on the Section 301 investigations since 2018, as well as other possible prohibitive, restrictive, or similar measures. The investigation will also cover U.S. actions taken since 2022, such as the issuance of rules and notification letters, to restrict exports of integrated circuit-related products and manufacturing equipment to China and to limit the participation of U.S. persons in China's semiconductor projects. Furthermore, the probe will look into how the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and its related rules are used to restrict relevant companies and individuals from conducting economic, trade, and investment activities in related fields in China. According to the ministry, the investigation will also cover U.S. government announcements and guidance from May 2025 that restrict the use of China's advanced computing integrated circuits, such as Huawei's Ascend chips, and limit U.S. AI chips from being used to train Chinese AI models. The investigation is scheduled to last for three months, with a possible extension under special circumstances.
Next, there’s a report on Wang Yi meeting Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Xinhua says:
“China values Poland’s role and influence in Europe and the world, and is ready to further deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance strategic cooperation, and jointly advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he added. Wang expressed hope that Poland will play an active role in helping the European Union develop an objective and rational understanding of China. As the main battlefield in the East during World War II, China was the first to resist Japanese militarism, fought the longest, and made immense national sacrifices, thus making a tremendous historic contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Wang noted. Wang briefed Nawrocki on China's commemorative events earlier this month aimed at remembering history, honoring the war heroes, cherishing peace, and forging a better future.”
“Both China and Poland are independent countries that firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang said, adding that the separatist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces, which attempt to split the country and challenge the outcomes of World War II victory, run counter to the tide of history and are doomed to fail. Wang expressed his confidence that Poland will continue to uphold the one-China policy and support China's cause of national reunification. Nawrocki affirmed that since 1949, the Polish government has recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and will continue to adhere firmly to the one-China principle. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues of mutual concern.”
Also, Wang Yi met with the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. Xinhua says:
Wang said that “the two countries should build on historical experience, carry forward their friendship, uphold mutual respect, accommodate each other's core interests and work together to ensure the steady, undisturbed growth of bilateral ties”.
“Wang said that both China and Poland are nations of self-reliance and resilience, committed to independence and having forged development paths suited to their own national conditions through hardships. Poland was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China and among the first to sign cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative with China, he added. China attaches great importance to Poland's role in Europe and consistently regards China-Poland relations as an important part of China-Europe ties, he said. Since establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have cultivated a friendship built on mutual respect, equality, win-win cooperation and mutual learning, a bond that is especially valuable amid today's turbulent international situation and deserves to be cherished, Wang added. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Wang said the Chinese and Polish peoples alike shed blood and made great sacrifices in resisting aggression. China was the first to resist Japanese militarist aggression, fought the longest, and made the heaviest national sacrifices, thus making a tremendous historic contribution to the victory on the Eastern battlefield of World War II and to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Wang noted. He called on the two countries to draw lessons from history, look to the future, contribute further to world peace and development, and help advance a fairer and more equitable global governance system. Wang said Poland is the final stop of his ongoing European tour, adding that over the past few days he has held extensive exchanges with European friends and gained a deep sense of the challenges facing the continent. He cited arbitrary tariffs that violate international trade rules and harm the legitimate interests of all countries, and called on China and Europe to stand together to oppose such measures. In the face of unilateral bullying, compromise offers no way out, and acting as an accomplice will eventually harm one's own interests, he stressed. The more complex and turbulent the international situation becomes, the more China, Poland and Europe should uphold the original aspiration at the time of the establishment of their diplomatic ties, stick to their partnership positioning, strengthen solidarity and coordination, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice, Wang added.”
As per Xinhua, the Sikorski said:
“Poland firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to give full play to the role of the Poland-China Intergovernmental Committee, enhance exchanges at all levels, and expand cooperation in economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges, especially on major projects such as new energy vehicles, so as to bring more benefits to the people of both countries, he said. A tariff war ignores World Trade Organization rules, undermines the stability of industrial and supply chains and serves no one's interests, Sikorski said.”
“Noting that the current international governance system no longer fits changes in the international balance of power, he said Poland values the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, and is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to advance reform and improvement of the global governance system.”
The Polish readout, however, does not talk about the one-China policy or principle, nor does it talk about GGI or a tariff war at all. Rather it says:
“This is the first visit to Poland by a Chinese foreign minister in six years, marking an important element of Poland-China political dialogue. The three-hour talks covered bilateral relations as well as European and global affairs. The ministers welcomed the signing of an agreement on the application of the regionalisation principle for poultry exports from Poland to China, which will unblock the export of Polish poultry products to the Chinese market.”
“The meeting also addressed Poland’s aspirations to join the G20 group, to which China responded positively. Discussing the war in Ukraine and its consequences, Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski stressed the crucial importance of adhering to the UN Charter and respecting Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. He drew the Chinese side’s attention to Russia’s destabilizing actions and raised the issue of Russian drones intruding into Polish airspace. He emphasised that in this matter there can be no question of a coincidence or error. Minister Wang Yi said in response that escalation of the conflict is not in the interest of any party. Both sides also expressed hope for a normalisation of the situation at the Poland-Belarus border.”
The Chinese readout talked about the discussion on the Ukraine war, saying:
“The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Sikorski briefed Wang on Poland's position on the current situation, and Wang expounded on China's principled position of promoting peace talks and supporting all efforts conducive to peace. China is ready to maintain close communication with Poland and all relevant parties to promote the conclusion of a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, and achieve lasting peace and stability in Europe, Wang said. China hopes that Poland, as an important country in Europe, will proceed from the fundamental and long-term interests of itself and of Europe, and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis, he added.”
The full joint outcomes document following the fourth meeting of the Poland-China Intergovernmental Committee is available in English here.
Just FYI: This was the official Chinese reaction to the reports of Russian drones crossing into Polish territory recently.
“A Chinese envoy on Friday called on all parties concerned to stay calm and avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment following the Poland drone incident. China has taken note of the recent statements and responses from Poland, Russia and Belarus in relation to the drone incident. China calls on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, properly settle disputes through dialogue and consultation, avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment, and prevent any possible expansion or escalation of the situation, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
“‘In the current context, any misunderstanding or misjudgment will deepen the trust deficit. Any confrontational rhetoric may spark an escalation. Any military clash could trigger broader instability,’ Geng warned in his remarks to the Security Council. China always maintains that all countries should conduct international relations in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said.”
“This drone incident is the result of a spillover of the Ukraine crisis, Geng said, noting what the international community needs most at present is goodwill rather than hostility, mutual accommodation rather than military confrontation, and de-escalation rather than further escalation. China calls on all parties to adhere to the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting, and no provocation by any party, and act without delay to promote de-escalation, he said. ‘We urge the parties concerned to demonstrate political will, sustain the momentum of peace talks, continue building consensus and strive to reach a peace agreement as soon as possible. We also call on the international community and regional countries to foster a positive atmosphere, create favorable conditions and provide necessary assistance to this end,’ he said. China’s position on the Ukraine issue has been objective, impartial and consistent. China is committed to promoting peace talks and seeking a political solution. China stands ready to continue working with the international community to play a constructive role in promoting an early political settlement of the crisis, he said. The Polish military shot down drones over Poland after its airspace was repeatedly violated overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. Russia has rejected the accusation made by Poland, the EU and NATO that it launched the drones.”
Page 4: There’s a report on China releasing the V 2.0 of its AI governance framework. You can check out the English report on Global Times, if interested.
Thanks as always, Manoj. You're doing God's work, my boy!