China hopes to advance consultations with EU on EV tariffs

China hopes that the EU will work with it in the same direction and show sincerity in advancing the consultation concerning the EU's anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

On Wednesday, the German Association of the Automotive Industry said the European Commission's planned tariffs against China-made EVs would be counterproductive for Europe's climate goals and harmful to its industry and consumers. It has also warned that Western car manufacturers in China would also be affected by the tariffs initiated by the EU, in some cases even worse than Chinese companies.

"China has noticed that governments of some EU member states and major automobile companies have repeatedly voiced definite opposition to the EU's anti-subsidy measures against Chinese EVs. China hopes that the EU will listen to the voices within the bloc, carry out negotiations with China rationally and pragmatically, and avoid countervailing measures that harm the mutually beneficial cooperation and shared growth of Chinese and European auto industries," said the MOC spokesman He Yadong.

China has repeatedly expressed strong opposition to the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs. China believes that economic and trade frictions must be properly handled through dialogue and consultation, He said.

"On June 22, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis held talks via video link. They agreed to initiate immediate consultations on the proper handling of the case based on facts and rules. So far, China and the EU have held multiple rounds of consultation at the technical level. There is still a four-month window period before the final decision is made. China hopes that the EU will work with it in the same direction and show sincerity in advancing the consultation, and reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible based on facts and rules," said He.

Last month, the European Commission unveiled plans to impose provisional tariffs on imports of Chinese EVs. The move, widely criticized as protectionist, would involve additional duty rates ranging from 17.4 percent to 38.1 percent for Chinese EV makers despite widespread market concerns and China's objections.

China hopes to advance consultations with EU on EV tariffs

Infrastructure is at the heart of economic ties between China and its neighbor to the west, Tajikistan, as the in-depth and close cooperation between the two countries plays an important part in improving the livelihoods of Tajik people.

The Tajik capital of Dushanbe is no stranger to monuments. The city boasts the world's second tallest flag pole and the statue of Ismoil Somoni, the 10th-century ruler whom the country's currency is named after.

The latest addition to the list of impressive buildings in Dushanbe is the Independence and Freedom Monument.

Opened in 2022, it was built by Xinjiang Construction and Engineering Corporation, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation.

Gulomov Marufjon, a local Tajik who has been working for China State Construction for half a decade, told China Global Television Network (CGTN) that a total of five projects has been delivered by his company in Tajikistan since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, the famous Independence and Freedom Monument included.

"In terms of infrastructure, the cooperation between the two countries has seen new developments every year since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed. Our company has built and delivered five important projects -- the National Library, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, two highways, and this Independence and Freedom Monument," said Gulomov, assistant to general manager of the Tajik branch of Xinjiang Construction and Engineering Corporation.

The tower's height of 91 meters symbolizes the year of the country's independence, namely 1991. While commemorating the Central Asian country charting its own path, it is one that is increasingly integrated with its neighbor to the east, China.

"More than 530 Chinese companies are operating in Tajikistan, encompassing industries such as construction, agriculture, industry, transportation, and maintenance. These companies have created numerous job opportunities for people and contributed to the development of the economy and bilateral relations," said Gulomov.

This monument to Tajik's modern history is also seen as a symbol of the country’s growing relationship with China.

Ties in building infrastructure praised for improving Tajik livelihoods