Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed admiration for China's remarkable development during his latest state visit.
Mattarella visited China from Nov 7 to 12, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. This marked his second state visit to China in seven years, following his previous visit from Feb 21 to 26 in 2017.
"I had already visited China 10 years before the trip in 2017, seeing Beijing and Shanghai. In 2017, I had the opportunity to engage in meetings and discussions with President Xi Jinping and other representatives of Chinese institutions. Visiting four different cities (Chongqing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Beijing) was fascinating because this vast country boasts a rich diversity of regional characteristics that contribute to China's greatness," Mattarella said in an interview with the China Media Group on his visits.
China's thriving vitality, rich cultural heritage, and extraordinary academic life gave the Italian president a deep impression during this first state visit.
"I went to Chongqing, where I was struck by the rapid development of the area. I visited Xi'an, where the majesty of the terracotta warriors left a profound impression on me even till today. In Shanghai, which I had already visited, I witnessed its boundless and ever-growing energy, as the city showcased its increasing productive capacity, thriving economic activity, and the extraordinary vibrancy of its academic life," said Mattarella.
Recalling his visit to Beijing, Mattarella lauded the city's grandeur and the immense cultural and artistic heritage it preserves, deeming it a treasure for humanity. He praised Beijing's constantly improving infrastructure and its growth.
"The meetings were the most significant aspect. My first meeting with President Xi Jinping involved discussions where we began to note complete alignment on all the issues addressed. It was, therefore, an unforgettable visit. Now, I am happy to have returned. This long interval has allowed me to perceive and appreciate the profound changes and advancements China has made, particularly in cutting-edge technology and forward-looking initiatives," said Mattarella.
During this trip, he visited the Summer Palace, and traveled to Hangzhou and Guangzhou. In Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, Mattarella visited an exhibition and watched opera "Marco Polo." In Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province, he visited the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and enjoyed a Pearl River night cruise trip.
He shared his six-day visit on social media with over 20 postings.
Italian president marveled at impressive pace of development in China
EU is employing double standards in its electric vehicle (EV) policies, unfairly targeting Chinese EV imports with tariffs and subsidies, according to experts at the 17th Forum on WTO Laws and China opened in Guangzhou City of south China's Guangdong Province on Saturday.
One of the highlights was the release of a blue book titled "The EU's Industrial Subsidy Policy for Lithium Batteries, PV Products and Electric Vehicles in the Name of Green Transition", which claims that while continuing to impose anti-subsidy tariffs on imported Chinese electric cars, the EU is subsidizing domestic EVs, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products.
Shi Xiaoli, the book's lead researcher, claimed that while the EU restricts state aid that might cause market distortions, numerous exemptions still exist, which ultimately allows subsidies across these three sectors.
"For example, one of the exemptions is that even if a subsidy in a certain country distorts the EU market, even significantly, if it still aligns with the EU's long-term common interests, it can remain. The scope of European common interest projects is continuously expanding, and it includes these three industries," said Shi Xiaoli, Director, WTO Law Research Center.
The book reveals that EU member states heavily subsidize electric vehicles, with substantial support covering the entire industrial chain.
At the same time, the EU has recently introduced new tariffs of up to 35 percent on imported Chinese EVs. That's in addition to the existing 10 percent duty, which some experts deemed as counterproductive.
"We believe this policy is discriminatory. The EU acknowledges that Chinese electric vehicles have caused no harm to its EV sector. The EU's trade protectionist measures are in fact more detrimental to itself. While it may protect its market in the short term, once these measures are lifted, its technology and other aspects may fall even further behind," said Sun Xiaohong, secretary-general of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME).
A lawyer at the event argued that the EU's actions are not typical trade measures, but an attempt to curb China's EV sector growth.
"Subsidies for emerging industries exist in every country, including the United States and the European Union. Also, this time the European Commission initiated the case on its own authority, marking the first use of a special legal rule in the anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese export enterprises," said Pu Lingchen, Partner, Chance Bridge Law Firm.
The EU has given itself quite the ambitious goal - starting in 2035 all new cars sold will be emissions free.
Those involved in crafting of the blue book believed that EVs will be crucial in achieving this target. But they have also said that if Chinese imported EVs come with a higher price tag, then the EU's ambitious plan will certainly face difficulties.
Chinese think tank criticizes EU's double standards on electric vehicles
