Global Focus: China's vibrant economy amid changes

Editor's Note: China is playing an active role on the world stage of development. 

1. China refutes G7 foreign ministers statement on recent HK election

China on Monday expressed its firm opposition to foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy statement on the election of the sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The statement expressed so-called grave concern over political and civil rights and Hong Kong's autonomy. Calling the statement baseless and fact-distorting, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Britain said the G7 and the EU grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and disregarded basic norms governing international relations.

2. Chinese firms in Sri Lanka generally safe, undisrupted amid political turmoil

Some Chinese enterprises operating in Sri Lanka said on Tuesday that their businesses and personnel in the South Asian country have been generally safe and undisrupted, though they have taken contingency plans to protect projects and employees, amid a deteriorating political turmoil in the country after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa announced his resignation on Monday. Although Chinese enterprises will be more cautious when considering investment and expansion in projects in the country, the prospects for bilateral cooperation remain promising, Chinese experts noted on Tuesday.

3. China-aided infrastructure project boosts Namibia's gateway position

China-aided projects continue to support infrastructure development in Namibia with the latest project being the upgrading of Phase 2B of the Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport road. The project, for which an official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, forms part of Namibia's regional trunk routes and includes the construction of a 21.3 km dual-carriage freeway, three interchanges, two river bridges, and drainage structures, Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa said during the ceremony held in Windhoek." Namibia is positioned as a gateway for imports and exports to and from landlocked neighbors in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region and China is assisting us with strides in expanding our road network in efforts to achieve the sub-vision and goals for transport as set out in Vision 2030," he said.

4. Global shipping firms get a boost in China

China has freed up the coastal piggyback system for shipping of foreign trade containers between ports within China, enabling foreign logistics giants such as A.P.Moller-Maersk and Orient Overseas Container Line to plan their first voyages by the end of this month, analysts said on Monday. The move highlights China's willingness to further its opening-up policy, they said. Meanwhile, the administrative committee of Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone said at a news conference on Monday that China will introduce a container freight forward rate contract trading platform. Despite a complex international situation and given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Shanghai has encouraged enterprises to resume production, and the business in the bonded zone has operated smoothly in the first quarter.

Editor: Fan Wenwu