Interview with China's New Ambassador to Luxembourg Hua Ning

Chronicle.lu recently had the opportunity to sit down with the China's new Ambassador to Luxembourg, Hua Ning, to discuss his priorities and his thoughts on Luxembourg-China relations, particularly in the context of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Hua Ning was among four new ambassadors to formally present their credentials to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg on 21 September 2022; he had previously served as the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan.

Chronicle.lu: Welcome to Luxembourg. What will be your main aims as Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg?

Ambassador Hua Ning: Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Luxembourg on 16 November 1972, under the care of several generations of leaders and thanks to the joint efforts of the people of our two countries, we have established close and dynamic bilateral ties, the fruits of which have benefitted the two peoples. Although China and Luxembourg reserve differences in areas of territory, social systems, history and culture, and stages of development, the two sides have always adhered to the principle of mutual respect and openness, and our bilateral relations have withstood the test of changing international situations, which is well worth cherishing.

I feel privileged to serve as China's 16th Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. It is my mission and responsibility to inherit and carry forward the tradition of China-Luxembourg friendship, and expand exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the new era. The meeting between President Xi Jinping and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg early this year has charted the course for the development of China-Luxembourg relations in the coming years. We need to work together to deliver our vision of cooperation into tangible results. To this end, since I took up my new post in Luxembourg, I have travelled extensively and visited local institutions and enterprises, and made many friends from all walks of life in China and Luxembourg. I’ve felt their strong willingness to deepen friendly cooperation between China and Luxembourg. I believe that it is the people that have endued China-Luxembourg relations with vitality and strength, and we must build consensus and gather strength to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries to a higher level.

Chronicle.lu: There are currently almost 5,000 Chinese nationals in Luxembourg with many working in various sectors from finance to hospitality: do you see this number consolidating or even increasing in the next couple of years?

Ambassador Hua Ning: The earliest overseas Chinese settled down and set up businesses in Luxembourg in the early 1970s, while today nearly 5,000 Chinese nationals are residing here. Many young Chinese nationals are now working in finance, logistics, steel, telecommunications, education, sports, medical care and other industries, making positive contributions to Luxembourg's economic, social and multicultural development. They are also playing a prominent role in promoting friendly cooperation between China and Luxembourg. With the continuous advancement of China-Luxembourg relations, the scope of our cooperation is broadening. I am sure that more and more Chinese enterprises and Chinese nationals will join in our efforts in exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. We also welcome people from Luxembourg to visit China and know further about China's changes and progress, and jointly promote friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Chronicle.lu: On the business front, there are now seven Chinese banks in Luxembourg as well as around 50 companies with Chinese investment (including automotive components, industry, etc.). Over the next couple of years do you see the number of Chinese banks in Luxembourg increasing? And in which business sectors do you see future Chinese investment?

Ambassador Hua Ning: Both China and Luxembourg pursue an open economic policy and support free trade, which provides a favourable environment for our trade and investment cooperation. Luxembourg has long participated in China's reform and opening up process and is at the forefront of financial cooperation. In 1979, the Bank of China established the first overseas branch in Luxembourg since the founding of the People's Republic of China. In 2021, Luxembourg became China's third largest destination for investment in the EU, with investment from more than 100 Chinese companies, among which the financial sector accounted for more than 50%, the manufacturing sector for 16%, and commercial services for 10%. Seven major Chinese banks have branches and subsidiaries in Luxembourg with respective European headquarters in Luxembourg. Luxembourg is also the major country in which China has issued overseas green bonds. As one of the first EU countries to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative, Luxembourg has greatly extended the cooperation between the two countries. The rich bilateral cooperation achievements have benefited not only from China's reform and opening up, but also from Luxembourg's open and stable investment environment and its courage to be the first.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has just concluded, in which it is highlighted that China will promote high-standard opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards, and foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalised. China will promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and open up in a wider range, at a faster pace and with a broader scope, which will provide new and important opportunities for China-Luxembourg economic, trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, Luxembourg has strived to diversify its economy while maintaining its financial sector strengths. The cooperation between China and Luxembourg in emerging fields such as green economy and digital economy is highly complementary, and future cooperation in green finance, clean energy, circular economy and advanced manufacturing is promising. We support more Chinese financial institutions and enterprises to do business in Luxembourg, and expect the government of Luxembourg to continue to provide an open, equal and non-discriminatory policy environment for Chinese enterprises.

Chronicle.lu: The Chinese embassy provides consular services here, to both Chinese nationals residing in Luxembourg and Luxembourg residents seeking visas to visit China. Regarding the latter, do you see an increase in this activity now that restrictions on visiting China are relaxing after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Ambassador Hua Ning: In responding to the challenges of COVID-19, the Chinese government put the people and their lives above all else, worked to prevent both imported cases and domestic resurgences, and continuously adjusted and optimised the prevention and control measures based on the changing situations, having protected the people’s health and safety while maintaining the overall stability of the economy. We adhere to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. By the end of April this year, we had provided hundreds of billions of anti-epidemic supplies to 153 countries and fifteen international organisations, provided 2.2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organisations, sent 37 medical expert groups to 34 countries, and shared epidemic prevention and control experience with more than 180 countries and international organisations.

With the gradual and effective control of COVID-19, China has gradually and steadily resumed personnel exchanges with other countries, and shortened the entry quarantine time. Relevant Chinese departments currently issued policies and measures to call for the full use of the "fast pass" for Chinese and foreign travellers, so as to facilitate international business personnel exchanges and promote investment and trade. At present, Luxembourg citizens can apply for various visas for work, business, travel, family visit and study in accordance with the visa policy guidelines posted at the website of Chinese embassy. Those who hold APEC business travel cards (ABTC) or valid study residence permits can enter directly the country without a visa.

Chronicle.lu: The 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and Luxembourg was recently celebrated by a very well attended Chinese Film Festival. Are you, or is the embassy, planning any other events to celebrate this historic occasion?

Ambassador Hua Ning: Over the years, we've witnessed active cultural exchanges, with artists from both sides performing in each other's countries many times. The Exhibition of Archeological Treasures from Henan held in Luxembourg in 2018 was responded [to] very favourably. This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, the Chinese Embassy in Luxembourg held a series of cultural events. In late September, we organised a special concert with the Solistes Européens Luxembourg at the Luxembourg Concert Hall; in late October, we hosted the Chinese Film Festival in Luxembourg for the first time; on 8 November, the China Cultural Center in Luxembourg will officially hold an unveiling ceremony and a photo exhibition for the 50th anniversary, with live performances of guzheng (a 21-or-25-stringed plucked instrument) and piano; in late December, China Table Tennis College Europe will organise a friendly table tennis tournament. As President Xi Jinping has stated that exchanges make civilisations colourful, and mutual learning makes them prosper. We hope that the people of our two countries will have more opportunities to understand each other's history and culture, enrich each other's lives and further enhance mutual understanding.

Chronicle.lu: The China Cultural Center Luxembourg will shortly open its doors: how is the Embassy of China supporting this significant project?

Ambassador Hua Ning: Although China and Luxembourg are thousands of miles apart, the people of the two countries have always had emotional bond with each other. Cultural exchanges have enriched China-Luxembourg relations, while the people of the two countries have enjoyed them. In February this year, President Xi Jinping met with Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, who went to China to attend the Olympics Winter Games in Beijing. The two heads of state unanimously pledged to adhere to exchanges and mutual learning, hold rich and colourful cultural events, bring the two peoples closer together, and solidify the public support in bilateral relations.

The China Cultural Center in Luxembourg has been in preparation for more than three years and will be officially inaugurated on 8 November. It will become a new platform for Luxembourg friends to understand Chinese culture further. Luxembourg has provided strong support for the establishment of the China Cultural Center. After its official opening, it will, closely combining traditional Chinese festivals, host such branding events as "Happy Spring Festival". The Center will make full use of its exhibition halls, libraries, physical education classrooms and training rooms to organise performances, exhibitions, seminars, lectures and other cultural exchange activities, so as to provide more Luxembourg friends with opportunities to experience the beauty of Chinese culture and play a role in enriching Luxembourg's cultural life at the international level. For Luxembourg people, this Center is a cultural centre on their doorstep, and they are all welcome to visit and experience Chinese culture there.

Chronicle.lu: How do you see Chinese relations with Luxembourg (specifically) and the West (in general) evolving in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine?

Ambassador Hua Ning: The Ukraine crisis, which has lasted for more than eight months, is the outbreak of long-term accumulation of security conflicts in Europe, which not only exerts overwhelming influence on the European region, but also has a serious spillover effect on all countries in the world. On the Ukraine issue, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be endorsed. We wish for an early ending of the crisis through diplomatic means, and oppose adding fuel to the flame or shifting the blame onto others. Over the past eight months, China has always adhered to the position of seeking peace and promoting talks, and has provided several batches of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Affected by COVID-19, geopolitical conflicts and interest rate hikes in some countries, the current world economy is in a downturn. With volatile financial markets, some countries are facing recession risks, and many developing countries are confronted with severe challenges such as economic difficulties and food insecurity. In this context, China and Europe should strengthen cooperation to stabilise the world economy and work together to cope with global challenges. We neither need a hot war, nor a cold war. There is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and Europe. Exaggerating differences and advocating ideological divisions between the two sides will not help solve the problems facing Europe and the world, but will only make the global economic and security situation worse. In the end, it is the people who will suffer from it. China's diplomacy embodies the traditional Chinese cultural concepts of "harmony in diversity" and "seeking common ground while reserving differences". China upholds dialogue and cooperation, and opposes isolation and antagonism. A divided and fractured world will not make us safer. General Secretary Xi Jinping has highlighted in the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as below. For its part, China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals of upholding world peace and promoting common development, and it is dedicated to promoting a community with a shared future for mankind. It is in this spirit that China has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. As a founding member of the European Union, Luxembourg has played an important role in European integration for many years. We expect the Luxembourg government to adhere to the spirit of openness, trust and dialogue, eliminate external interference, and increase positive energy for the development of the bilateral relations and China-EU relations.