On Thursday 21 July 2016, Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, paid a working visit to Beijing at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi.

Minister Asselborn also met with State Councillor Yang Jiechi and the head of the International Department of Central Committee of Communist Party of China, Song Tao, the head of the EU Delegation in Beijing, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, as well as members of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other research institutes.

The ministers’ discussions were first devoted to bilateral relations, which revealed that they are in excellent condition, both politically and culturally, as well as economically and commercially. The celebration of 45 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations will be held next year, and the ministers promised they would continue to maintain the good Sino-Luxembourgish relations.

During the visit, the ministers exchanged views focused in particular on potential solutions when it comes to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic and financial area. China is the first trade partner between Luxembourg and Asia. There is also huge potential for cooperation in the fields of tourism and logistics, as well as teaching and research.

Jean Asselborn defended the EU position on overcapacity in the steel sector, and urged the Chinese side to accept the proposal made at the recent EU-China summit on establishing a working group to follow up on industrial overcapacity and control measures to address them.

They further discussed the issue of human rights in China. Minister Asselborn urged the Chinese side to pursue the EU-China dialogue on human rights and the rule of law.

The ministers gave an update on the latest developments within the EU before addressing the regional situation, especially touching upon the situation of the China Sea. Finally, the ministers reviewed the major issues of the international agenda, in particular addressing the conflict in Syria and the Middle East.

Photo by MAEE (L-R): Minister Jean Asselborn; Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China