Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks during a regular news briefing after Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met European Union Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Monday in an effort to ease growing trade tensions.

“China and the European Union are partners, not rivals,” Guo said, adding that the causes of the EU’s economic difficulties did not originate in China.

Guo said Beijing was prepared to strengthen communication and consultations with the European Union and manage trade differences through constructive dialogue while pursuing mutual development.

Following the meeting, Sefcovic said the current state of trade relations was unsustainable, warning that “the status quo is not an option” as Brussels seeks to address longstanding concerns over its trade relationship with China.

The European Union has expressed increasing concern over China’s expanding trade surplus with the 27-member bloc, arguing that low-cost Chinese exports threaten the competitiveness of European manufacturers.

European officials have also maintained that Chinese companies benefit from substantial state subsidies, creating an uneven competitive environment for businesses operating within the European market.

Beyond trade imbalances, Brussels has also raised concerns over China’s export controls on rare earth elements introduced last year. The materials are critical for a range of industries, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy technologies and electronics.

Wang and Sefcovic are scheduled to hold another round of trade discussions in China in October as both sides seek to manage differences and avoid further escalation in commercial disputes.

Min Aung Hlaing is seeking to expand trade and security ties with China, a major partner for Myanmar following the 2021 military coup that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

China has become an important power-broker in Myanmar’s civil war, supporting different sides and negotiating ceasefires based on its strategic interests.

The visit comes as relations between Beijing and Naypyidaw face challenges, including concerns over online scam centers operating near their shared border.

During his five-day trip, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other senior officials.

China remains a key supplier of military equipment to Myanmar and has helped broker agreements with armed groups along the border.

Myanmar has also gained global attention as a supplier of rare earth minerals, which are important for China’s renewable energy industries.

The visit highlights China’s continued influence in Myanmar’s political, economic and security affairs.

China was not included when leaders from major industrial nations first gathered at the Rambouillet summit near Paris, at a time when the country was still recovering from political upheaval and had a much smaller role in the world economy.

Decades of economic growth have transformed China into the world’s second-largest economy and a central player in trade, technology, supply chains and climate policy, prompting questions over whether the G7 can effectively address global challenges without Beijing at the table.

John Kirton, a University of Toronto specialist on the G7, said China’s transformation from a minor economic actor into a major global power had led some analysts to question whether the group would benefit from Chinese membership.

However, the G7 has historically defined itself as a gathering of democracies. Its founding declaration said members represented open democratic societies committed to individual liberty and social progress, a standard that China under both Mao Zedong and President Xi Jinping has not met, according to critics of Beijing’s political system.

China remains a major focus of G7 discussions because of its trade surplus, control of critical minerals, technological advances, military expansion and position as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

French President Emmanuel Macron, hosting the summit in the Alpine town of Evian-les-Bains, has placed discussions on trade relations with China on the agenda as G7 nations examine concerns over rising Chinese exports, including electric vehicles and industrial goods.

Cédric Dupont, an international politics specialist at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said China could become an issue that brings G7 members together despite recent disagreements over issues including the Iran conflict.

Beijing has criticised the G7’s limited membership in the past, describing it as a Western-led grouping, but China’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the summit that the organisation should promote cooperation rather than division.

Analyst Wang Zichen said Beijing viewed the G7 as closely connected to US-led Western influence and as a forum where China is increasingly discussed as a strategic challenge.

Some analysts argue that admitting China could weaken the group’s unity because of differences over governance, international security and relations with countries such as Russia and Iran.

Chris Alden of the London School of Economics and Political Science said expanding the G7 to include China could make it harder for the group to operate effectively.

The G7’s previous attempt at expansion has also shaped the debate. Russia joined the group in 1998 but was suspended in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, ending its participation in what had become the G8 format.

Donald Trump has previously argued that excluding Russia was a mistake, but some G7 analysts say the experience has made members more cautious about admitting countries that do not share the group’s political framework.

Trump is scheduled to travel to Evian for the June 15-17 summit, where leaders from the G7 countries are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, trade disputes, artificial intelligence, energy security and supply chains.

A senior US administration official said Trump would participate in a working session on Tuesday with G7 leaders and Zelensky as Kyiv seeks continued military and financial backing from Western allies.

No formal bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky has been scheduled, though officials said the two leaders could hold talks on the sidelines of the summit.

US officials said Russian battlefield gains had slowed and that Washington wanted the conflict to end as quickly as possible.

Trump is also expected to hold separate meetings with leaders from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, India and France.

The summit is likely to focus heavily on efforts to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Iran following weeks of fighting. US officials said discussions may include possible French and British involvement in mine-clearing operations around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments.

Economic issues will also feature, including trade tensions, supply-chain security, illegal migration and artificial intelligence. The US administration said Trump would emphasize securing critical mineral supplies needed for advanced technologies.

The G7 summit will bring together leaders from the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Trump has previously supported Russia returning to the group, from which Moscow was suspended after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

After the summit, Trump is expected to attend a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles before returning to Washington.

The history of global commerce is often told through the rise of empires, trade routes and financial institutions. Less frequently discussed is the role of language in shaping those systems.

Historical accounts cited in the source material describe how Arabic commercial terminology and business practices became closely associated with trade networks that stretched across large parts of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean during the medieval period.

According to the source material, Baghdad was regarded as one of the world’s wealthiest cities around 800 AD, with prosperity linked not to natural resources or military expansion but to its position as a major center of trade. Commerce occupied a central place in economic life, reflected in the Arabic term “tijara” (تجارة), meaning trade or the exchange of goods and services.

Merchants operating across long distances relied on extensive commercial relationships that connected producers, traders and consumers across multiple regions.The source material argues that Arab merchants developed systems based on trust, referred to by the Arabic word “amana” (أمانة). In its commercial sense, the term denotes the safeguarding of another person’s property or wealth and the expectation that obligations will be honored.

Such principles played a role in facilitating transactions among merchants operating across vast geographic distances, often in environments where modern regulatory institutions did not yet exist.These trust-based arrangements helped support increasingly sophisticated commercial practices.

Merchants exchanged goods, extended credit and conducted transactions across territories that spanned multiple political jurisdictions. The source material characterizes these mechanisms as an early form of banking, built around commercial confidence and merchant networks rather than modern financial institutions.

The development of written financial instruments represented another significant advancement. The Arabic word “sakk” (صكّ), described in the source material as a written payment order or financial document, became associated with methods of transferring value without requiring the physical movement of currency.

Historians have frequently noted linguistic links between the Arabic term and the English word “cheque,” reflecting the influence of medieval commercial interactions on later financial terminology.The spread of trade also facilitated the movement of language.

Commercial exchanges carried words, ideas and technologies between societies, leaving traces that remain visible in modern vocabulary. The source material identifies several commonly used English words including “tariff,” “magazine,” “cotton,” “algebra” and “alcohol” as having Arabic linguistic origins. These examples illustrate how economic and cultural interactions can shape language over centuries.

The commercial environment described in the source material was supported not only by institutions and terminology but also by values associated with enterprise and economic activity. One such concept is “himma” (هِمَّة), defined as determination, ambition and the willingness to pursue long-term goals.

The term is presented as a cultural expression of persistence and entrepreneurial drive, qualities frequently associated with successful commercial activity.While the historical influence of Arabic commercial practices forms one part of the narrative, the source material also highlights the contemporary economic significance of the Arab world. It states that Arab countries collectively account for approximately $3 trillion in sovereign wealth assets.

Sovereign wealth funds have become major participants in global capital markets, investing across sectors ranging from infrastructure and technology to energy and real estate.The source material further notes that the Arab world comprises 22 countries with a combined population of approximately 420 million people.

Together, these states represent a significant economic and demographic bloc spanning the Middle East and North Africa. Their geographic position continues to place them at the intersection of major global trade routes linking Asia, Europe and Africa.Arabic remains an important language of business across much of the region.

According to the source material, many commercial negotiations and business relationships continue to begin in Arabic, reflecting both cultural continuity and the practical realities of operating in local markets. Language can serve not only as a means of communication but also as a tool for building trust, understanding business norms and navigating regulatory and commercial environments.

The source material points to major commercial centers including Dubai, Riyadh, Cairo and Doha as examples of cities that have emerged as influential hubs for investment, trade and regional business activity. These urban centers have attracted multinational corporations, investors and entrepreneurs seeking access to markets across the Middle East and North Africa.

The concept of opportunity is represented through another Arabic term highlighted in the source material: “fursa” (فرصة), meaning opportunity. The term is used to describe openings that may be time-sensitive and require action before circumstances change.

Within the context of regional economic development, the source material presents Arabic language skills as increasingly relevant for individuals and businesses seeking to engage with rapidly expanding markets.The argument advanced by the source material is that the significance of Arabic extends beyond cultural or religious contexts.

It suggests that the language has historically functioned as a vehicle for commerce, finance and economic exchange, contributing terminology and concepts that became embedded within broader global systems. From trade agreements and financial instruments to commercial vocabulary and business practices, Arabic linguistic influence has persisted across centuries of economic interaction.

The relationship between language and commerce remains evident today. As Gulf sovereign wealth funds deploy capital globally and regional cities compete to attract investment, knowledge of local languages and commercial traditions continues to carry strategic value.

The source material contends that success in these markets depends not solely on technical expertise or financial resources but also on understanding the cultural and linguistic frameworks that underpin business relationships.

Viewed through this lens, the story of Arabic commerce is not simply a historical account of medieval trade networks. It is also a reflection of how language can shape institutions, facilitate trust and support economic activity across generations. The commercial concepts highlighted in the source material trade, trust, financial documentation, ambition and opportunity remain closely connected to the functioning of markets, both past and present.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has invited Saudi companies to participate in the 2026 editions of Halal Indonesia International Industry Expo (Halal Indo) and Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), both scheduled to take place in Jakarta.

The push comes as non-oil trade between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia continues to grow, reaching more than $3.9 billion in 2025, up 12% from 2021.

“We invite all members of the Riyadh Chamber to participate and link up with Indonesian businesses,” Zulvri Yenni, trade attache at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, said in a statement, describing the events as platforms for expanding business networks between the two countries.

Indonesia has identified Saudi Arabia as a key export market, particularly for sectors such as halal products, consumer goods and modest fashion, while seeking to capitalize on opportunities generated by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

Riyadh Chamber official Mansour Al-Ajmi said Saudi businesses were prepared to support and promote Indonesian trade events to encourage greater participation by potential buyers.

Trade Expo Indonesia generated nearly $23 billion in business transactions in 2025 and attracted more than 34,000 visitors, including over 8,000 buyers from 131 countries, according to Indonesian trade officials.

A recent survey by the Center of Economic and Law Studies found that more than 58% of respondents favored stronger economic engagement with Middle Eastern countries, with Saudi Arabia viewed as Indonesia’s most promising trade and investment partner in the region.

Long queues of trucks carrying perishable goods such as plantains and fish have been stranded at the border, with many traders fearing their products will spoil before reaching markets.

Ugandan authorities tightened restrictions after Congo’s Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province worsened. While emergency and humanitarian traffic is still allowed, cargo movement has slowed significantly.

Officials say the measures are necessary to stop cross-border transmission of Ebola. Uganda has already recorded 15 confirmed Ebola cases linked to the outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Local businesses around the busy Mpondwe Border Post have been hit hard, with traders reporting spoiled goods, reduced income, and growing uncertainty.

The World Health Organization has warned that neighboring countries face a high risk of infection but generally discourages border closures, emphasizing surveillance and health measures instead.

Authorities say further restrictions may be introduced if the outbreak continues to spread.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during talks in New York that Beijing would support Cuba’s sovereignty and economic development, according to Chinese state media. Wang said China opposed “all forms of power politics and bullying,” in remarks widely seen as directed at Washington.

The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Cuba through sanctions, legal action and restrictions on Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Washington last week indicted former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian U.S. aircraft, a move condemned by Beijing.

China has expanded economic support for Cuba in recent months, including rice shipments and agricultural cooperation agreements, as Havana struggles with fuel shortages and economic strain linked to U.S. sanctions.

Modi’s six-day visit starts in the United Arab Emirates before continuing to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with New Delhi seeking to secure energy supplies and deepen economic ties with Europe following the India-European Union free trade agreement finalized in January.

The trip comes as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf maritime corridors continue to pressure energy-importing economies. India, the world’s third-largest oil buyer, typically sources nearly half of its crude imports through the strategic waterway.

India’s foreign ministry said discussions in the UAE would focus on “strengthening our energy security,” including cooperation on oil and liquefied petroleum gas supplies. The Gulf nation hosts an Indian diaspora estimated at 4.5 million people and remains one of New Delhi’s key energy partners.

Analysts said the visit reflects India’s broader push to diversify strategic partnerships while positioning itself as an alternative manufacturing and technology hub amid shifting geopolitical alignments and supply-chain realignments away from China.

“The recently concluded India-EU free trade agreement has already created momentum,” former Indian ambassador Anil Wadhwa told AFP, adding that India was seeking to position itself as a “trusted economic, technological and clean energy partner.”The European leg of the tour will focus heavily on trade and investment cooperation.

Modi is scheduled to meet Dutch leaders later on Friday for talks expected to cover bilateral trade, defense cooperation, semiconductors, water management, agriculture and healthcare.India and the EU concluded a landmark free trade agreement in January, which Modi described as the “mother of all deals.” European policymakers increasingly view India, the world’s most populous country, as a critical market and strategic counterweight in Asia.

In Sweden, Modi will attend a European business leaders forum alongside Ursula von der Leyen before traveling to Oslo for an India-Nordic summit, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in more than four decades.

Former Indian ambassador K.C. Singh said the Gulf leg of the visit also reflected changing regional alignments following escalating Middle East tensions.“A new international environment now prevails,” Singh told AFP, citing fractures within the Gulf Cooperation Council and growing strategic competition involving Iran, Gulf states, the United States and Israel.

Modi also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi on Thursday ahead of the trip, underlining India’s effort to maintain diplomatic engagement across rival regional blocs.Energy analysts said New Delhi could pursue agreements linked to strategic petroleum reserves and long-term LPG supply arrangements to reduce vulnerability to price shocks and shipping disruptions.

The Nordic portion of the tour is also expected to include discussions on Arctic cooperation and climate-linked shipping routes. India operates a research station on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago and has increasingly monitored the commercial and environmental implications of melting polar sea ice.

Indian lawmaker Shashi Tharoor wrote in the Indian Express that India and Nordic nations shared interests in preserving international stability “at a time when the turbulence of the Trumpian era has unsettled global norms.”

The final stop of Modi’s tour will be Italy on May 19, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for talks on bilateral cooperation and regional security issues.

Industrial firms reported stronger profit growth, supported by recovering manufacturing demand and targeted government stimulus measures aimed at stabilizing employment and consumption.

Analysts said sustained recovery would depend on external demand and confidence in the property sector, which continues to weigh on broader economic momentum.