China-Europe Geopolitics and Economics: News & Discussions

[TaiShang]

Xi's visit to Switzerland to have stabilizing effect on Europe, world
Xinhua, January 15, 2017

Swiss President Doris Leuthard said Thursday that the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a stabilizing effect on both Europe and the world in light of the many changes and challenges affecting the international landscape.

"I think there are different expectations, (and) it will be a very important visit for the whole of Europe and perhaps with some elements that have worldwide recognitions," Leuthard told Xinhua in an interview.

"As you know we are in a difficult situation ... I think China can use this situation to show its world power status and how it can be a factor of stability," she added.

She was referring to the changes of governments which have already taken place or could take place in some big powers of the world, as well as lingering tensions in several country-to-country relations.

Switzerland was among the first European countries to recognize China's market economy status, the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China, said Leuthard.

She attributed the development of bilateral relations to the trust and confidence between Berne and Beijing, as well as the fruits of many years of discussions, meetings and mutual understanding.

This bilateral relationship will be reinforced by Xi's visit, and new space will be opened for cooperation for the ties to move up a new ladder, said Leuthard, who has been at the helm of the Swiss government since the beginning of the year.

"There is an expectation on the bilateral level, (and) we will sign quite a lot of new agreements and in so doing enlarge our fields of cooperation," she explained.

Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, at the invitation of the Federal Council of Switzerland.

During the visit, Xi will attend the 47th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Jan. 17, at the invitation of WEF founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.

He will also visit the United Nations Office at Geneva and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the International Olympics Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne on Jan. 18, at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, and IOC President Thomas Bach.

 

[TaiShang]

Europe Turning to China as Uncertainty Over Trump's Foreign Policy Looms

11:33 15.01.2017

Chinese President Xi Jinping will take part in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, including delivering a speech at the opening ceremony on January 17. China has been involved in various events by the WEF since 1979, but this year Xi Jinping is going to be the first Chinese leader to participate in the Davos meeting.

In order to arrange the visit, Beijing had to reconsider the usual schedule of Xi Jinping’s official visits.

Diplomatic activities by the Chinese president in Geneva and Davos will have a serious influence on the global economic recovery, according to Ma Zhaoxu, head of the Chinese mission to the UN in Geneva. The diplomat also said that the world is now suffering a deep economic crisis and the lack of impetus for economic recovery.

"President Xi's speech will help the international community find the direction to move forward as well as solutions to the world's tough challenges such as terrorism, refugee problems and climate change and other issues of widespread concern," he told Xinhua.

There are optimistic expectations in Europe for Xi Jinping’s visit to Davos, according to Yury Rubinsky, a senior researcher at the Institute for European Studies, at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

"European analysts believe that Xi Jinping wants to show that Europe is the endpoint of China’s New Silk Road infrastructure route. This is especially important taking into account the role of Europe in the foreign policy strategy of the new United States presidential administration," Rubinsky told Sputnik Chinese. The expert noted that US President-elect Donald Trump has long been an opponent to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), two major deals endorsed by Barack Obama’s administration.

"Europeans see no future in the TTIP. They are concerned. They don’t know what to expect from Trump’s administration. Xi Jinping’s visit to Davos may indicate that Europe sees China as an important partner amid the uncertainty in relations with the US and the future negotiations on Brexit," the expert pointed out.

He suggested that for the European Union China’s role is going to increase in the near future. "In the event of a trade war between Washington and Beijing, Europe would not like being involved. This is a very important matter. This is not about China looking for support in Europe against the US. Europe doesn’t want to become a hostage of the situation," Rubinsky said. The visit by Xi Jinping in Davos can be regarded as the diplomatic start of 2017 for China. Geneva hosts several international organizations while China advocates for a system of global governance as well as globalization and liberalization of trade.

During his stay in Geneva, the Chinese president is expected to visit the offices of the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"All of the above proves that Beijing wants to develop multilateral diplomacy and support the UN’s constructive role in global governance. In terms of bilateral diplomacy, the visit shows that Switzerland is important for China," said Jia Lieying, an expert of the School of International Relations at the Beijing Language and Culture University. Switzerland was one of the first European countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with China. This was of major political importance for Beijing. In addition, in 2013, China and Switzerland signed a free trade deal. This was the first free trade agreement Beijing has signed with a European country. Currently, Switzerland is China’s seventh-largest trade partner. Moreover, Switzerland and China are actively developing financial cooperation.

***

Death of TTIP would be an excellent news for the expansion of the OBOR. Let's hope Trump continues his reckless Twitter crusade and the radical fanatics he put around himself continues to attack left and right, to Russia and China and others like cheap gangsters with newfound power. Trump killed the TPP. If he kills the TTIP, he will be remembered second best president for China after Obama.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/politics/201701151049609337-china-us-davos-forum/

 

[onebyone]

Reuters VideosJanuary 16, 2017
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Zurich, Switzerland on a four day visit to the country during which he will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos. Rough cut (no reporter narration)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/chinese-president-arrives-switzerland-state-182143316.html

 

[TaiShang]

The grim prospect of Europe without China
By Jeremy Garlick Source: Global Times Published: 2017/1/15

Illustration: Luo Xuan/GT

As Chinese President Xi Jinping flies into Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in Davos, he is sure to be concerned about a wide range of pressing issues for the year ahead.

Two of which are connected to the conference's main agenda: how to restore global economic growth and how to reform market capitalism.

There is a growing feeling worldwide that globalization has somehow lost its way. Wealth gaps are widening, and not just in China. The pressure is on leaders to provide a roadmap to the future.

Dissatisfaction with inequality has led to a wave of anti-globalization sentiment in many countries. The results of this shift can be seen in Brexit in the UK and a political swing to the right in a number of European countries, as well as in the US where Republican Donald Trump has been elected president.

Many people seem to think the solution to economic woe lies in disconnecting from global trade and business and concentrating on local solutions. They believe jobs and prosperity will return to disadvantaged areas only if interfering foreigners are removed from the equation.

In Europe and the US, this would mean attempting to detach from China. In fact, restoring the American jobs he sees as lost to China was one of Trump's most enticing election promises.

Shutting China out is a possibility in the US, but could this happen in an increasingly fragmented Europe as well?

It seems unlikely. After all, China is one of the EU's two main trading partners (the other is the US). Eliminating China from the economic equation would be like cutting off an arm: painful, counter-productive and ultimately harmful to Europe's own prospects.

Yet, let's imagine a Europe without China, if only to paint a picture of the consequences. Would there be a return to prosperity as manufacturing jobs came back, or increased hardship due to the loss of interconnectivity with a major global player?

I would argue that the latter scenario would be far more likely.

Here's a clear example. Europe's economic powerhouse, Germany, is dependent on exports for growth. Many of these, such as cars and other industrial products, go to China. Without China, Germany's economy would face a nasty downturn. And the same goes, to a greater or lesser extent, for most other European countries.

In fact, it's strange to think of Europe without China, because Europe has never really been with China. Arguably, Europe has never really understood China, or even attempted to understand it.

By perceiving China as distant, alien and somehow malignant, Europeans, I would argue, misconstrue the impact of China on their lives.

They see Chinese workers as low-paid drones, but forget how the rapid growth of China's export-led economy has lifted 600 million out of poverty, an unprecedented event in human history.

If China's economy were to tank (and let us sincerely hope it does not), this would undoubtedly have dramatic effects on Europe and on the whole world.

Globalization means that the economies of nations are now inextricably interlinked. Separating them is close to impossible, as the British are discovering as they attempt to detach from the EU.

A Chinese economic downturn would have severe consequences for European countries, for most of whom trade with China constitutes a large chunk of their economic activity. A rapidly slowing China would also lead to a deep and lasting global recession which would hit Europe as hard as everybody else, perhaps even harder given the extent to which trade with China is propping up low European GDP growth rates.

Chinese investment in Europe is also increasing, with plenty more likely to come in the next few years. A slowing Chinese economy would mean that these funds would never arrive, and European jobs could not be created.

Chinese tourism, one of the fastest growing sectors in countries such as France and Britain, would also be curtailed. Luxury goods in European department stores would sit on shelves and brands would struggle to find customers, further pulling down European economies.

In other words, China is under-appreciated in Europe, its growing economic activity in the old world undersold as a stimulus to economic growth.

As Xi Jinping arrives in Davos, Europeans would be well-advised to take the time to reflect on just what China really means for them and their economies. They would also be well served by contemplating, just as the Chinese president will be, how to improve upon existing models of trade and global capitalism, and how to increase beneficial ties with China, rather than seeing Chinese commercial activity as harmful to Europe.

The author is a lecturer in international relations with the Jan Masaryk Centre for International Studies at the University of Economics in Prague. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn

 

[ahojunk]

President Xi starts state visit to Switzerland, Davos forum
2017-01-16 08:43 | Xinhua | Editor:Li Yan

Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st L) and his wife Peng Liyuan (2nd L) receive flowers from the Swiss children after their arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Sunday to pay a state visit to Switzerland and attend the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Swiss President Doris Leuthard (2nd R, front) holds a welcome ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) and his wife Peng Liyuan (1st L) upon their arrival at the airport in Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Sunday to pay a state visit to Switzerland and attend the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front R), accompanied by Swiss President Doris Leuthard (front L), inspects the guard of honour during a welcome ceremony at the airport in Zurich, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2017. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Sunday to pay a state visit to Switzerland and attend the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during a welcome ceremony held by all members of the Swiss Federal Council in Bern, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan enjoy tea and conversation with Swiss President Doris Leuthard and her husband Roland Hausin in a special train on their way to Bern, capital of Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2017. After the welcome ceremony at the Zurich airport, Xi traveled to the Swiss capital of Bern by a special train of the Swiss government. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

 

[ahojunk]

China, Switzerland agree to boost ties, oppose protectionism
2017-01-17 08:02 | Xinhua | Editor: Mo Hong'e

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard in Bern, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

China and Switzerland on Monday pledged to better develop their innovative strategic partnership and jointly oppose trade protectionism.

During talks between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard, the two countries also agreed to align their respective development strategies and strengthen cooperation in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.


MODEL OF COOPERATION

"The China-Switzerland relations have become a model of friendship and cooperation between countries that are different in social system, development stage and size," Xi said.

"We are willing to work with the Swiss side for an even better development of our ties," he said.

The president proposed that the two countries enhance cooperation and exchanges in a wide range of areas, including politics, trade, finance, digitalization, intelligent manufacturing, industrial capacity, culture and education.

Xi extended appreciation to the Swiss side over its participation in the founding of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and its support for the Belt and Road Initiative, which is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

The president said that China stands ready to discuss cooperation with Switzerland in infrastructure construction, insurance and other areas to jointly promote the initiative.

For her part, Leuthard said the two countries have maintained sound relations since they forged diplomatic ties and have similar views on many issues concerning international peace and development.

The Swiss side is willing to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as economy, trade, finance, innovation, culture and tourism.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen the alignment of "Made in China 2025" and Switzerland's Industry 4.0 strategies, and push for the upgrading of their bilateral free trade agreement that entered into force on July 1, 2014.

The two sides have also decided to jointly launch a China-Switzerland Year of Tourism in 2017, and enhance cooperation in winter sports by taking the opportunity of China hosting the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.


PROTECTIONISM OPPOSED

China and Switzerland hold the same or similar position on opposing trade protectionism and settling international disputes in a peaceful manner, according to the leaders of both countries.

"The two sides should increase communication and coordination in international and regional issues, safeguard the process of global free trade, jointly oppose trade protectionism, and contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Xi said.

Leuthard echoed Xi's remarks by saying that the Swiss side is willing to make joint efforts with China to maintain world peace and stability, safeguard an open global trade, and oppose protectionism in trade and investment.

The two sides agreed to work together to protect the open and inclusive global trade regime, and push for a more just and equitable global governance system.

After their talks, Xi and Leuthard witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements between the two countries, covering diplomacy, free trade, energy, customs, intellectual property rights, culture, education, sports and others.

The Chinese president arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to pay a state visit to the Alpine country and attend the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

It is the first state visit to the European country by a Chinese president in the 21st century. And meanwhile, Xi will become the first Chinese head of state to attend the Davos meeting.

After Bern, Xi will travel to the ski resort of Davos to attend the WEF annual meeting, which comes as economic globalization is being faced with headwinds and dented by rising populism and trade protectionism.

He will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony on Tuesday to share the views of the world's second largest economy on charting the course for globalization to make it more inclusive and beneficial to all and on revitalizing global economic growth.

The president will also travel to Geneva and Lausanne to visit the United Nations Office at Geneva and the headquarters of the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee.
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[ahojunk]

President Xi Jinping holds talks with Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard
2017-01-17 09:10 | Xinhua | Editor:Li Yan

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard meet journalists after their talks in Bern, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard in Bern, Switzerland, Jan. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

 

[ahojunk]

Beijing reiterates support for EU integration
2017-01-18 09:11 | China Daily | Editor: Feng Shuang

China reiterated its support for continued European integration after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's comments on the process ignited concerns in Europe.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday that China hopes to see a Europe that is prosperous and open, and which remains united and stable.

Hua made the remarks when asked to comment on Trump's hailing of the United Kingdom's decision to exit the European Union, as well as the strong reactions it has stirred up in Europe.

In an interview in The Times in London published on Monday, Trump, who voiced support for Brexit during his presidential campaign last year, said that "Brexit is going to end up being a great thing", and that he believes "others will leave".

Refuting Trump's comments, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that "Europeans hold our destiny in our own hands," while French President Francois Hollande said the EU "does not need external advice", Xinhua News Agency reported.

Feng Zhongping, vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Trump's comments show his lack of support for European integration, a cornerstone of European policy since the end of World War II.

"Europe is an important power in a multipolar world," he said, adding that the integration process has brought peace and prosperity to Europe, while halting the process or a Europe that falls apart "will affect greatly on world order and stability".

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the integration of the EU, China's largest trading partner, is in line with China's expectations of a balanced global strategic situation.

He said the ongoing process will mean deeper cooperation between China and European countries at a lower cost, as negotiations will remain at the EU level.

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[ahojunk]

Xi meets Belgian king, supports European integration
2017-01-18 09:29 | Xinhua | Editor:Xu Shanshan

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Belgian King Philippe in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)


Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Belgian King Philippe here on Tuesday, expressing support to the European integration process and opposition to trade protectionism.

"China always firmly supports the process of European integration and stands ready to accelerate the building of China-Europe partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization," Xi said in the meeting with King Philippe on the sidelines of the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Xi proposed that China and Europe jointly oppose trade protectionism and safeguard a fair and free global trade and investment system.

China expects Belgium to play a more active role in enhancing China-Europe ties, he said.

Hailing Belgium as one of the EU countries with the closest ties with China, Xi said he and King Philippe have made reciprocal visits in 2014 and 2015, with all consensus they reached being implemented in an all-round way.

Xi spoke highly of Belgian government's adherence to the one-China policy, its respect for China's core interests and major concerns and its concrete actions to safeguard the political foundation of the bilateral friendship.

China is willing to work together with Belgium to enhance political mutual trust and ensure the bilateral ties to advance in the right direction, said Xi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Belgian King Philippe in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)


The Chinese president urged the two countries to deepen practical cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacturing, biomedicine, modern services and sustainable development, adding that the two sides should also consolidate people-to-people exchanges.

For his part, King Philippe hailed China as a great country, thanked China for attaching great importance to Belgium's status as the "heart of Europe" and described the bilateral cooperation as an example for China-Europe cooperation.

Noting that Belgium and China hold similar views on many major international issues, King Philippe said Belgium will work together with China to further advance the European integration process and safeguard world peace and development.

The Chinese president arrived in Switzerland on Sunday. Xi is the first Chinese head of state to attend the Davos meeting.

 

[LowPost]

China may be forced to deal more closely with Eastern Europe

Russia. (Apologies for the one-liner but it feels good to be contributing to PDF again as it's been a while)

 

[ahojunk]

Xi, Leuthard attend launching ceremony of China-Switzerland Year of Tourism
2017-01-18 09:58 | Xinhua | Editor:Xu Shanshan

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd R), his wife Peng Liyuan (2nd R), Swiss President Doris Leuthard (3rd L) and her husband Roland Hausin (2nd L) pose for photos during a launching ceremony of the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard pose for photos during a launching ceremony of the China-Switzerland Year of Tourism in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

 

[onebyone]

Will May’s Brexit plan mean a faster China-UK FTA?
By John Goodrich
2017-01-19 17:22

British Prime Minister Theresa May has made her clearest statement yet about the terms by which she intends to guide her country out of the European Union, attempting to address criticisms that her government lacked a negotiating strategy for Brexit and a vision for Britain outside the EU bloc.

British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech on the government's plans for Brexit at Lancaster House in London on January 17, 2017. /CFP Photo

On the day that Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the world to reject protectionism, embrace free trade and a new form of economic globalization at the World Economic Forum in Davos, May declared that Britain:
- Will leave the EU single market, the mechanism which allows free movement of goods, workers, services and capital around the bloc with a population of 500 million. It will seek a "new comprehensive, bold and ambitious comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA)" with the EU.
- Will leave the EU customs union, the arrangement which guarantees no tariffs for members but insists on common tariffs for external trade. May says leaving the customs union will allow Britain to strike trade deals with other countries.
- Will take total control over immigration policy, meaning a new immigration system for EU nationals and potentially changes to the existing international visa system.

Post-Brexit Britain must strike new free trade agreements with the EU and beyond, while maintaining inward investment and retaining its appeal as a tourist destination. And amid the uncertainties, what does May’s Brexit plan mean for China?

China and Britain, post-Brexit

CFP Photo

China-UK relations grew steadily while David Cameron and George Osborne were in office, but following the Brexit vote, the prime minister and finance minister – both of whom were strong proponents of EU membership and closer ties with China – departed and the so-called “golden era” entered a new phase.

Relations between the new prime minister and China got off to a rocky start, when she ordered a pause to the high profile Hinckley Point nuclear plant – an 18 billion British pound project dependent on Chinese funding. But May made a concerted effort to build relations in November 2016 when she pledged up to 40 million British pounds to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

"I'm determined that as we leave the European Union, we build a truly global Britain that is open for business. As we take the next step in this golden era of relations between the UK and China, I am excited about the opportunities for expanding trade and investment between our two countries."
British Prime Minister Theresa May, November 9, 2016

China-UK FTA deal?

Exiting the customs union certainly eases the path to a China-UK FTA.

“We want to get out into the wider world, to trade and do business all around the globe. Countries including China, Brazil, and the Gulf States have already expressed their interest in striking trade deals with us,” May stated on Tuesday.

The UK and China in November announced plans to “establish a trade working group under existing dialogues to enhance our trade discussions.”

Britain's finance minister Philip Hammond (L) and Bank of China chairman Tian Guoli (R) in Beijing on July 22, 2016. /CFP Photo

British Finance Minister Philip Hammond said that after the Brexit vote he had begun discussions with China on a deal allowing major Chinese banks and businesses more access to the UK economy. Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman Shen Danyang said in August 2016 that it “shouldn't take long to complete China-UK FTA talks if both sides want it to be done within a short period.”

“Our stand on the EU is consistent, that we support Europe’s integration. We also value Britain’s place and role, and are willing to continue enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with the UK.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, January 18, 2017

Chinese direct investment to continue?

Foreign exchange traders monitor Theresa May's speech on January 17, 2017. /CFP Photo

China has continued to invest in Britain in the post-Brexit era.

CITIC and Chinese Developer ABP announced in November 2016 that they will together invest 320 million British pounds in a London Royal Albert Docks project, and China’s interest in the Northern Powerhouse scheme continues.

Britain has been regarded as a safe haven for investment in recent years and May’s speech has quelled some uncertainty. Her plans to leave the single market have alarmed some in the business community, but the depreciated British pound is appealing to foreign investors.

The Sterling fell further ahead of May’s Tuesday speech, but rebounded in the hours after it. It remains at a low level, however, and the substance of her speech won’t change that.

London’s finance sector a gateway?

London's financial district, Canary Wharf, London on January 17, 2017. /CFP Photo

The City of London has acted as a gateway to Europe for Chinese investors and financial institutions to the rest of the EU.

The decision to leave the single market puts London’s gateway status in jeopardy, and the ability of the government to strike an agreement that doesn’t disrupt the financial sector is a central part of negotiations.

Britain’s financial sector is dominant, so the country needs a good deal. But financial services firms are concerned. HSBC and UBS banks have both said this week that they will each move 1,000 jobs out of London.

Changes to visa system?

CFP Photo

May took a hard line on visas in her previous role as home secretary. Immigration was a significant underlying factor in the Brexit vote, and controlling inflows from the EU is the immediate challenge for the government.

But it is yet to be determined how a new visa system will work, and whether it will be specific to the EU or also result in an overhaul for all countries.

The number of Chinese students in the UK far exceeded any other nationality, at 91,215, in 2015-16, according to UK Council for International Student Affairs.

In her speech, May pledged “international talent must remain one of this country’s most distinctive assets.”

Tourism and shopping boom

The British and Chinese flags in front of Buckingham Palace, ahead of the Chinese State Visit on October 19, 2015. /CFP Photo

Britain’s reputation as a tourist and shopping hotspot, in the wake of Brexit, has been boosted by the severe depreciation in the pound – making goods for overseas visitors cheaper. The Global Blue Consultants firm says spending by Chinese tourists in October and November 2016 rose by 63 percent, and the UK tourism agency Visit Britain expects the biggest rise in tourist spending in four years in 2017.

The consequences and manner of Britain’s decision to leave the EU are still far from certain. The aims stated by May are just that – an eventual deal has to be agreed by Britain on one side, and individually approved by each of the remaining 27 member states. EU leaders insist the final deal must be less attractive than membership of the bloc.

In addition, German and French elections in 2017 could alter the balance of Europe. If Europe becomes more protectionist and Britain commits further to free trade, the appeal of a fast, mutually-beneficial FTA between the UK and China will surely grow.

http://news.cgtn.com/news/3d49444f786b544d/share_p.html?winzoom=1

 

[ahojunk]

UK has to shift its focus
2017-01-20 08:35 | China Daily | Editor: Sun Tian

After months of havering, Prime Minister Theresa May recently announced that the United Kingdom plans to make a clean break from the European Union and not opt for "anything that leaves us half-in, half-out".

Such remarks mean Britain will completely abandon its EU membership and quit the single European market. However, a "clean break" from the EU is expected to have considerable consequences for the UK economy, given that it means the UK's homegrown products will no longer enjoy the preferential treatment it received from the EU as a member, and enthusiasm for investing in the UK will be dampened. British enterprises' attractiveness to foreign talents will also decline.

Such negative impacts on the UK economy will be long-lasting. A recent International Monetary Fund report lowered its 2018 expectations for Britain's economic growth by 0.3 percentage points to 1.4 percent and adjusted its long-term outlook to "negative".

In a bid to salvage what she can, in her speech on Tuesday, May also said she will pursue a bold and ambitious trade deal with the bloc and hopes to preserve Britain's membership of the European Customs Union. Nevertheless, the dissatisfaction among EU members toward the huge damage the UK's leaving has done to the bloc's cohesion means they may be unwilling to be so friendly toward the UK, and they may be reluctant to help reduce the negative impact of Brexit.

So the UK needs to shift its focus from the EU to the United States and China and try to strike trade accords with them to really make it a truly global trading country.

Against the backdrop of its now certain breakaway from the EU, the UK also needs to considerably lower its corporate income tax to sustain overseas enterprises' continued investment enthusiasm. But such tax cuts are a double-edge sword that will either cause a higher fiscal deficit or prompt the British government to slash spending in other areas. At the same time, the lower tax rate policy is also expected to invite opposition from the EU.

 

[ahojunk]

China, Switzerland sign AEO agreement
(Xinhua) 14:21, January 28, 2017

China and Switzerland have signed a customs agreement on mutual authorized economic operator (AEO) status, a move that will further boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the country's top customs authority said on Saturday.

Chinese companies that obtain the AEO status will enjoy the same simplified customs procedures as native Swiss companies when their products enter Switzerland, the General Administration of Customs said in a statement on its website.

According to the World Customs Organization (WCO), an AEO is an organization or company involved in the international movement of goods that has been certified by, or on behalf of, a national customs administration and complies with WCO or equivalent supply chain security standards.

China and Switzerland launched AEO negotiations at the start of 2015, and finally reached the agreement this month after three rounds of talks.

AEO programs are expected to play a key role in boosting the country's exports amid sluggish global demand, according the statement.

China's exports dipped 2 percent year on year to 13.84 trillion yuan last year, while imports rose 0.6 percent from one year earlier to 10.49 trillion yuan.


********

This AEO will boost trade between China and Switzerland.
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[ahojunk]

China overtakes US as Germany's largest trading partner: report
(CRI Online) 09:42, January 29, 2017

　　The Port of Hamburg - Germany's biggest seaport. [File photo: china.org.cn]


China has overtaken the United States to become Germany's top trading market in 2016 for the first time, according to data collected by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

The U.S. has fallen to become Germany's third largest trading partner in 2016.

France continues to hold the position as Germany's second largest trading partner in 2016, according to data from DIHK.

DIHK's foreign business chief Volker Treier said the volume of goods exported to China from Germany grew rapidly in the latter part of 2016, Chinanews.com reported.

The total foreign trade volume between China and Germany reached 999.1 billion yuan (USD about 145.3 billion) in 2016, with a year-on-year growth of 2.6 percent, according to statistics released by China's General Administration of Customs.

Before becoming Germany's top trading partner, China was Germany's largest trading market in Asia.
Germany has been China's top trading partner in the European Union for the last 2 years.

DIHK is the central organisation for 79 Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany.

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