The diplomat is the 15th Chinese ambassador to Luxembourg. Previously posted in Madagascar, she spoke about the close ties between Beijing and Luxembourg, but also the covid-19 pandemic that was first reported in November 2019 in the Middle Kingdom.

The interview, conducted in writing, marks a rare media appearance by the ambassador.

You have been China's ambassador to Luxembourg for a year. How was your first year in office?

Yang Xiaorong: As soon as I set foot on the soil of Luxembourg in September 2020, I deeply felt the friendship of the Luxembourg people towards China. In the past year, friendly Sino-Luxembourg cooperation has strengthened day by day, political exchanges have deepened continuously, cultural and educational exchanges have developed steadily, and economic and trade cooperation has made further progress despite the epidemic, especially in the fields of air cargo and green finance.

In the first seven months, the volume of imports and exports between our two countries reached US$210m, an increase of 58.8% year-on-year. By the end of September, the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Highway” operated a total of 466 flights, an increase of 20.8% year-on-year. Several Chinese banks have successively issued green bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Green financial cooperation has become a new asset in our bilateral cooperation. Sino-Luxembourg relations have already become an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between two countries of different sizes.

Did you know Luxembourg before coming here?

I came to Luxembourg once on a mission trip and was deeply impressed by your beautiful landscape, your well-preserved historical heritage and the great warmth of your people. This time, during my stay in Luxembourg as an ambassador, I discovered more modern urban planning, more advanced environmental facilities and more dynamic economic development.

Last year, on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, you said that "Luxembourg is the third largest destination for Chinese investment in Europe". Is this still the case today?

In recent years, Chinese investments in Luxembourg have shown a constant growth overall and Luxembourg remains the third largest destination nation for Chinese investments in Europe.

Do you have any figures for Chinese investment in Europe, and in particular in Luxembourg, in 2020?

According to the Chinese ministry of commerce, Chinese direct investment in Luxembourg in 2020 reached US$829m, an increase of 20.85% year-on-year. Until the end of 2020, the stock of Chinese direct investment in Luxembourg is US$16bn. In 2020, Chinese direct investment in Europe is US$12.7bn, an increase of 20.6% year-on-year. China is ready to further strengthen its two-way investment cooperation with Luxembourg and Europe to create more development opportunities.

The covid-19 pandemic was experienced in a very different way in China and Europe: China opted for strict lockdown and then for an immunity pass based on contact tracing. What are the advantages of this tracing?

Faced with the pandemic, China, which puts the people and their lives above all else, has adopted the most comprehensive and strict preventive measures against covid-19, including strict isolation of patients and the use of health codes. By doing its utmost to ensure that no infected person or patient is forgotten, China has effectively controlled the spread of the pandemic in the shortest possible time, gradually resumed its economic and social development, and well respected the life and dignity of everyone.

What are China's commitments to global anti-epidemic cooperation?

The covid-19 pandemic proves once again that we live in the same global village and that we must stand together and further strengthen our cooperation. During the hardest period of its fight against the pandemic, China received support and assistance from many countries, including Luxembourg.

On the other hand, China has engaged in a large-scale international humanitarian operation: donating more than 1.4bn doses of vaccine to more than 100 countries and international organisations, donating medical equipment to nearly 200 countries and international organisations. In addition, over the next three years, China will provide US$3bn in aid to support health rehabilitation and the economic and social recovery of developing countries.

Covid-19 was first reported in China in November 2019. However, Beijing has opposed a new WHO investigation on its soil to trace the origins of the virus. Why?

In light of the spirit of openness, transparency and science, China supports and actively participates in international cooperation on the search for the origin of the virus. China was the first country to report the epidemic situation to the WHO and promptly published the genetic sequence of the virus and other key information. China has already twice invited WHO experts to conduct joint studies on the origin of the virus in China. It should be clarified that this is not an investigation, but a joint research on tracing the origin of the virus.

In March 2021, the WHO published a joint China-WHO research report and specified scientific conclusions such as “a laboratory leak is extremely unlikely” etc. Indeed, identifying the origins of the new coronavirus is a complex scientific issue. This work should and could only be done by scientists around the world through their joint research. China strongly opposes any form of politicisation of the search for the origin of the virus and will continue to support and participate in global cooperation in the study of the virus’ origin.

At present it is very difficult--if not impossible--for European tourists to travel to China. When do you think China will reopen its borders to foreign visitors?

I hope that international tourism can start again as soon as possible after the pandemic.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Luxembourg. Are there any special celebrations planned?

It will be a historic moment linking the past and the future. Fifty years ago, Chinese and Luxembourg leaders showed great foresight and opened the door for friendly exchanges between our two countries. After 50 years, mutually beneficial Sino-Luxembourg cooperation has achieved fruitful results. To celebrate this historic moment, a series of activities and friendly exchanges will be organised in the political, economic, commercial, cultural and sporting fields.

According to the great Chinese philosopher Confucius, everyone should know his or her true destiny at the age of fifty. So in the year of “knowing one’s true destiny”, China is willing to work with Luxembourg to take stock of experiences and draw up a new development plan, in order to take Sino-Luxembourg cooperation to a new level.

Has the covid-19 pandemic--in one way or another--impacted Sino-Luxembourg diplomatic relations?

Sino-Luxembourg relations have generally stood the test of the pandemic and our cooperation has developed. Our two countries are still united in the fight against the pandemic, our mutual political trust is deepening, our economic and trade exchanges are gradually strengthening and have great potential.

Luxembourg has its own typical and competitive advantages. China is the world's largest market with potential and in the next 10 years, the total import of goods from China could exceed US$22,000bn. The Sino-Luxembourg cooperation shows a strong mutual complementarity and has good prospects.

What do you think is the cement of the Sino-Luxembourg diplomatic relations?

Although China and Luxembourg differ in size, population, social system and level of development, our two countries both adhere to the principles of mutual respect, mutual equality, win-win cooperation, always consider each other as important partners and insist on strengthening dialogues and properly managing differences.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries 50 years ago, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been developing more and more profoundly and the friendship between our two peoples has been strengthening day by day. All this has laid a solid foundation for the further development of Sino-Luxembourg diplomatic relations.

What are your objectives for your mandate?

As the Chinese ambassador to Luxembourg, I have taken on the mission of promoting Sino-Luxembourg friendship and cooperation. I am ready to work with Luxembourg friends together to continuously deepen mutual political trust, economic and trade cooperation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges between our two countries, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples, and take Sino-Luxembourg relations to a new level.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.