Chinese Ambassador to Belgium: Don't Blame All Economic Problems on China

Chinese Ambassador Fei Shengchao has responded to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's sharp criticism of China's economic practices. De Wever had written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning that China's increasing imports of chemical and pharmaceutical products threaten Belgian industry and that the growing trade deficit with Europe, exceeding 360 billion euros, necessitates urgent action.

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We don't solve our problems through so-called 'megaphone diplomacy,' but by communicating openly with each other.

Fei acknowledged that the message from De Wever's office was received and that there is "a grain of truth" in some of the accusations. However, he dismissed many of the claims as "fake news" and expressed annoyance that the letter became public. "We don't solve our problems through so-called 'megaphone diplomacy,' but by communicating openly with each other," Fei stated in an interview for the podcast 'China Beyond the Wall.' He emphasized that China is a partner, not a rival, and called for increased dialogue between China, Belgium, and Europe.

De Wever had previously criticized Europe's hesitant stance on China, describing the country as simultaneously a 'partner,' 'economic competitor,' and 'systemic rival.' He urged Europe to reduce its dependence on China and its products, warning that without action, European factories could face closure. The Belgian Prime Minister also highlighted a 20% increase in imports from China over the past year as a threat to domestic industry.

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We can not deny that there is an element of truth in it, but many of the accusations are simply not correct.

The ambassador also touched upon China's evolving economic landscape, noting that the country is no longer just the "factory of the world" for cheap consumer goods. China is increasingly exporting high-value products like cars, computer chips, and AI applications. Last year, China traded $6 trillion in goods and services globally, and Fei asserted that the momentum of the Chinese economy will not slow down.

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China is a partner, not a rival.