Luxembourg Ministers, Delegation Embark on Economic Mission to China

On Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November 2024, the first stage of Luxembourg’s economic mission to the People's Republic of China took place in Beijing.

As reported by the Economy Ministry and the Foreign Ministry, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, are leading this economic mission, which is organised in collaboration with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

The economic trade mission is taking place from 23 to 30 November 2024, in three cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Ministers Bettel and Delles held a bilateral meeting with Ding Xuexiang, First Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China. Minister Bettel also met with his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, as well as with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Minister Delles met with Zhao Chenxin, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission. 

The ministries reported that the meetings provided an opportunity for exchanges of views on bilateral relations between China and Luxembourg in the political, economic, commercial and cultural fields. The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in industrial policy, technological innovation and energy, and ecological transition. The discussions aimed to explore the potential for developing economic cooperation in the fields of logistics, clean technologies, automotive, finance and green finance – the main sectors in the framework of this economic mission. EU-China relations were also discussed, particularly regarding cooperation in the fight against climate change, access to the Chinese market for European companies and trade relations.

Minister Bettel said: “Despite the geographical distance between our two countries and despite the fact that our two peoples have adopted different systems of governance, our relations remain based on mutually beneficial cooperation and mutual respect. Luxembourg is one of the most open countries in the world, with an economy and governance based on the rule of law, international cooperation and multilateralism. Despite an increasingly difficult global context, we will continue our commitment to a fairer, more equitable, more sustainable and more peaceful world. In this regard, dialogue with China is essential: China remains a key player, whether in the field of trade, the fight against climate change, regional security or the governance of artificial intelligence. We also discussed the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the importance of respecting international law and the United Nations Charter – everywhere and always. The important role that China can play in achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine was also discussed in this context, as was the human rights situation in China.”

Minister Delles also participated in the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), created in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and supply chain disruptions. The sectors highlighted at the second edition of this international fair, which brings together participants from more than 100 countries, included clean energy, smart cars, cutting-edge technologies, supply chain services and health technologies.

After attending the official opening ceremony in the presence of the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China, Han Zhen, a guided tour of the fair was held. Minister Delles visited the stands of around ten innovative Chinese companies, as well as that of the Luxembourg company IEE.

Moreover, Minister Delles gave the welcoming speech at the Luxembourg-China Business Forum Beijing, organised by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Luxinnovation. This forum brought together more than 60 representatives of Chinese companies and more than 50 participants from Luxembourg companies. The forum focused on the logistics and international supply chain sectors.

Minister Delles commented: "The multiple crises of recent years have shown to what extent the disruption of supply chains is impactful for our societies; especially, but not only, in terms of inflation. We are at a key moment where the dual green and digital transition requires the strengthening of these supply chains. International cooperation is crucial to tackle current and future challenges, especially for open economies like ours. Our various discussions, both with Chinese political representatives and with economic players, have made it possible to identify new opportunities for our economy and to explore collaborations in the areas of logistics, mobility, renewable energy and green technologies."

Ministers Bettel and Delles later met with representatives of European companies, the Chamber of Commerce of the European Union in China, as well as European ambassadors stationed in China. A welcome reception, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, also took place upon arrival in Beijing.

The Luxembourg delegation will continue the second part of the economic mission in Shanghai.