On March 5, 2024, the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, at which Premier Li Qiang delivered the Report on the Work of the Government. A day before, China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee also kicked off its annual session. As the world closely watches China’s key annual political events to see how they will lead the country’s development this year, China Today spoke with some European diplomats in Beijing who attended or observed the meetings to gauge their main focus. This is what they said: 

John Busuttil, Malta’s Ambassador to China 

“The main area that I am most interested in is exactly the economy because China’s economy has a huge impact on the global economy,” John Busuttil, Malta’s Ambassador to China, told China Today on the sidelines of the meeting. Its impact, he added, is especially seen on Europe. 

In his view, if there is a greater input from the Chinese economy, then the European and American economies will start doing better. So they are closely following new proposals regarding the Chinese economy. Though the Chinese government has a strong emphasis on green transition and sustainable development goals, stronger inputs on consumption is even more important now, the ambassador pointed out.  

“We hope that consumption in China is renewed and the aspirations of the Chinese people are achieved. Because that means more possibilities, more confidence, and both of us can benefit,” Busuttil stressed. “As the Chinese economy starts growing, the global economy starts growing.” 

Martha A. Mavrommatis, Cyprus’s Ambassador to China 

“The year 2024 is very promising,” Martha A. Mavrommatis, Cyprus’s Ambassador to China, told China Today. Mavrommatis said she is very optimistic about China’s economy as she has already seen China’s GDP growing much higher than in last year. She strongly believes that in 2024 and the years ahead, China will become more open, attracting more foreign investment and hopes Cyprus and other countries in the EU will have more bilateral cooperation with China in the fields of trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.  

Green transition and ecological conservation is another of her focuses. Mavrommatis thinks that Cyprus and China may have more collaboration on green development and low carbon emissions, sharing experience and new technologies on green energy such as wind power.  

“Foreign diplomats in China all have the chance to witness the great change,” she said and quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping that we live in a global community with a shared future for humankind. “Climate change is affecting everybody. Therefore, we have to work together to combat climate change and to make a better world for our children and for the future generations.” 

Luc Scholtes, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission, Luxembourg Embassy in China (Photos by Zhou Lin) 

The GDP growth target and the economic outlook are among the major issues that most foreign diplomats are particularly interested in. Talking about the challenges and the solutions to the challenges for China’s economy, Luc Scholtes, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Luxembourg Embassy in China, indicated that this is not just relevant to China’s economic growth, but also has an impact on the world’s economy.  

“Yes, we are facing challenges this year, but we are still looking forward to finding solutions and new proposals for the recession,” Scholtes told China Today, adding, “We are expecting to see what are China’s stimulus policies that can reboot the economy in the country and around the world.”