Not source of EU's problems, but a partner: Beijing

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao called on the European Union to keep its markets open to Chinese automakers and avoid protectionism to ensure a "fair, open and non-discriminatory" environment.

"China is not the source of the EU's economic and trade problems, but a partner in solving them," Wang said in a statement from the ministry after his Monday meeting with German Association of the Automotive Industry President Hildegard Muller. "We don't want to see the EU turn to protectionism, restrict or close its markets, leading to markets around the world shutting themselves off from one another."

Wang's statement comes amid Germany's preparations for economic-security measures to shield strategic industries from China, potentially including new tariffs on hybrid EVs and stronger export controls.