EU pressure tactics will not force China to back down, MOC says

The European Union should not expect to secure gains by pressuring China or underestimate Beijing's resolve and ability to safeguard its interests, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

The remarks came in response to media reports that Brussels believed its pressure on China had paid off in consultations on hybrid vehicle trade and planned to extend restrictions to more sectors.

The reports also said a recent EU summit had proposed a "dual-track" approach toward China, combining continued intensive consultations with tougher restrictions, potentially including the use of the bloc's Anti-Coercion Instrument.

A ministry spokesperson dismissed the claim that EU pressure had worked, calling it "groundless", adding that the understanding reached on hybrid vehicle trade was reciprocal and mutually beneficial.

The understanding was reached in line with three principles agreed by both sides: compliance with World Trade Organization rules, respect for the facts, and nondiscrimination, the spokesperson said in a statement.

It safeguarded Chinese companies' interests, addressed the EU's concerns and prevented an escalation of bilateral trade frictions, the spokesperson added.

"The purpose of China-EU economic and trade consultations is to properly resolve differences through dialogue and address each other's concerns," the spokesperson said, calling on both sides to demonstrate sincerity in resolving problems.

The ministry urged the EU to work with China to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.