In a significant move to enhance China-EU relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Ursula von der Leyen of the EU Commission and Charles Michel of the EU Council in Beijing on December 7. The leaders discussed a wide range of issues critical to both bilateral and global engagement.
This meeting followed President Xi's recent discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden in California, marking their first face-to-face interaction in a year. Both leaders pledged to stabilize their relationship, signaling a broader effort to redefine international engagements toward trust and mutual benefit rather than competition and division.
The European Union and China are major economic partners, engaging in daily trade worth 2.3 billion euros (approximately $2.48 billion). Despite this economic interdependence, challenges persist, particularly concerning trade imbalances. Since the EU's 2019 assessment of China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival, it has implemented measures like the foreign investment review mechanism, foreign subsidy regulation, and anti-coercion tools. Earlier this year, the EU also initiated efforts to \"de-risk\" European supply chains from China, aiming to bolster economic security and ensure a level playing field. However, China has expressed dissatisfaction with these designations and measures.
Political divisions, both within domestic arenas and on international fronts, continue to pose challenges in China-EU relations. While there has been an exchange of high-level visits in an attempt to ease tensions, a return to normalcy remains elusive. The summit represents a crucial step in addressing these complexities, with both sides striving to build a more trusting and cooperative partnership.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
