The opening of markets brings the world closer together, and cooperation leads to a better future for everyone, stated the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Montenegro, Lu Fangqing. She added that separation and disruption of supply chains are not the solutions.
She emphasized that despite the challenges to economic globalization, the historical trend will not change—separation and disruption are not the answer. Instead, opening up and cooperation are the only viable options.
“China is ready, together with all countries, including Montenegro, to continue breaking down walls, not building them, to stay open, not isolated, and to integrate, not separate, in order to guide globalization towards greater openness, inclusivity, mutual benefits, and balanced growth,” wrote Lu in an opinion piece titled “High-Quality Development is Not Afraid of ‘Tariff Sticks’.”
Lu announced that the two sessions of China—the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—were successfully concluded, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Chinese modernization.
“The main trend of China’s economy is long-term and positive growth, and China is confident in advancing its high-quality development,” said Lu.
She pointed out that in the past year, China’s economy continued stable growth, achieving significant and steady progress.
China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached 134.9 trillion yuan, growing by 5 percent annually, and its contribution to global economic growth remained around 30 percent.
The industrial structure is constantly being optimized—high-tech manufacturing value increased by 8.9 percent, while the value of the software and IT industries grew by 10.9 percent.
“The Chinese government will implement a more active fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy, comprehensively boosting domestic demand and promoting the development of new quality productive forces in line with various specific circumstances, aiming for effective quality development and a reasonable increase in quantity, achieving the planned GDP growth target of around 5 percent,” Lu detailed.
Mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, she said, are the right path for all countries around the world, emphasizing that China is committed to a high level of openness.
“China has been the number one in global merchandise trade for years and has become a key trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. It has signed 22 free trade agreements with 29 countries and regions and has granted 100 percent tariff exemptions on all tariff items to the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations,” Lu added.
According to her, China will continue its high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, having signed over 200 cooperation agreements with more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations, and implemented thousands of concrete projects.
Regardless of changes in external circumstances, China will remain consistent with its policy of opening up to the world.
“The Chinese government will continuously enhance its high level of openness to the world, stabilize trade and foreign investments, expand the network of high-standard free trade zones, and ensure a competitive, legal, and international business environment,” Lu concluded.
She also remarked that the U.S. government has recently resorted to the “stick” of tariff hikes, launching attacks on multiple fronts.
She pointed out that the U.S. has repeatedly announced tariff increases on its trading partners, fully revealing its unilateral and hegemonic nature.
“Raising tariffs deviates from market principles. Higher tariffs lead to rising prices, diminishing household wealth, and reducing economic output,” Lu added.
She warned that tariff increases affect the global economy, and there are no winners in trade and tariff wars, with no benefits for any side.
“Growing trade restrictions will further fragment the international trade system, undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and inject greater uncertainty into the world economy,” concluded Lu.
