This episode contains segments on:
- China May macroeconomic data;
- European Commission President Von der Leyen’s statements at the G7 summit in Canada; and
- 10th EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue.
Listeners are also invited to attend the event Unlocking opportunities in China’s silver economy on 25th June in Beijing. Attendees can also join online.
Contact:
We’d love to hear your feedback. Contact us at website@europeanchamber.com.cn.
Follow the European Chamber on LinkedIn, Twitter, WeChat (europeanchamber), and sign up for our newsletter here, to get notified on new episodes.
Read more:
China May macroeconomic data (NBS)
https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202506/t20250616_1960173.html
European Commission President Von der Leyen’s statements at the G7 summit in Canada
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_1522
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_1521
10th EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_1495
https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202506/17/content_WS6851316cc6d0868f4e8f3696.html
European Chamber event: Unlocking opportunities in China’s silver economy
Transcript:
RUI: Hello and welcome to China ShortCuts,
MARIANN: the European Chamber’s weekly catchup on China’s business landscape.
RUI: This episode was recorded on 18th June 2025.
(MUSIC)
MARIANN: Production at larger industrial firms rose 5.8 per cent year-on-year in May. This was the slowest pace of increase recorded since last November. The total value of retail sales surged 6.4 per cent compared to last May – the fastest pace seen in nearly a year and a half. This was not yet enough, however, to offset the trend of lopsided growth in terms of supply and demand: in the first five months of 2025, industrial production rose 6.3 per cent year-on-year, significantly faster than retail sales at 4 per cent.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 16th June, speaking at the Group of Seven summit held in Canada, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen expressed strong criticism of China over its export controls on rare earth minerals and called out the country for its market practices that she said constituted “distortion with intent”.
MARIANN: Speaking on rare earth minerals, Von der Leyen stressed that currently China dominates the global market for rare earth permanent magnets, and accused the country of weaponising this position to undermine competitors in key industries. She warned that even though China has given signals that it may loosen its relevant restrictions, the threat remains. Therefore, she called on members of the G7 to respond in a united manner and create alternatives along the supply chain both in home markets and around the world. In a separate statement delivered during a session on the global economic outlook, Von der Leyen called China’s trade and market practices the G7’s biggest collective problem, accusing China of undercutting intellectual property protections and providing subsidies with the aim of dominating global manufacturing and supply chains.
Commission President Von der Leyen’s tone suggests that the EU finds the imbalance in its trade and economic relationship with China increasingly harmful for its own market and companies.
The Chamber has been sharing its concerns with the Chinese Government that third markets are increasingly likely to take action to protect their own economic interests if China does not address the issue of its growing trade surplus with many of its key trade partners and provide a level playing field for all companies operating in the Chinese market in a timely manner.
(MUSIC)
RUI: On 13th June, the 10th EU-China Environment Policy Dialogue was held in Brussels, with the two sides agreeing to deepen their environmental cooperation.
MARIANN: The dialogue was co-chaired by Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy of the European Commission and Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu. Areas for further cooperation discussed during the meeting included negotiations for an international plastic pollution agreement, with the final round of negotiations for an international legally binding instrument due in August, air and chemical pollution control, water resource protection and deforestation-free supply chains. The 6th High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue between the EU and China will be held mid-July, during which high-level exchanges will continue on key areas of engagement between the two sides.
(MUSIC)
RUI: China is aging – and fast. In just over two decades, the share of people aged 60 and above has more than doubled, rising from 10.18 per cent in 2000, to 22 per cent in 2024. That is 310 million people today. By 2035, this number is expected to exceed 400 million – roughly the combined populations of the UK and the US. This demographic shift presents not just a social challenge, but also a powerful economic opportunity.
MARIANN: Recognising this potential, the Chinese Government has taken active steps to foster the growth of the so-called ‘silver economy’ – the expanding market for goods and services to people aged 50 and older. In 2024, the first national policy document focused solely on this sector was issued. This landmark initiative outlines increased financial support for elderly care facilities, programmes and services. More recently, the 2025 Action Plan for Stabilising Foreign Investment opened the door for foreign-owned projects in healthcare, education and biotechnology, which may create exciting opportunities for international investors.
RUI: Join us on 25th June online or in person in Beijing for an insightful event supported by the EU SME Centre, which will explore the current landscape and future outlook of China’s silver economy. Find out about key policy updates, consumer trends and practical strategies for entering or finding new opportunities in the sector.
(MUSIC)
MARIANN: Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to tune in again next week.
RUI: In the meantime, please find useful links in the episode notes.