China's Xi welcomes EU leaders to tense Beijing summit aimed at improving relations
Chinese president Xi Jinping has on Thursday welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa to Beijing for an EU-China summit. The summit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, aims to improve and strengthen relations between the two sides.
The EU and China are seeking to revitalise their relations during the summit, against a backdrop of trade tensions and geopolitical disagreements. Amongst others, the growing European trade deficit is causing tension: last year, the EU's deficit with China exceeded 300 billion euros. In addition, Chinese export restrictions on essential rare earth metals, which are used in electric motors and sensors, are causing frustration in Brussels. The summit will also address China's stance on Russia's war in Ukraine.
“Our cooperation has deepened, but it has also become unbalanced. We are at an inflection point,” said EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. “It is essential to bring our bilateral relationship back into balance.”
Chinese president Xi Jinping, for his part, called on European leaders to make “correct strategic choices”. “The more serious and complex the international situation, the more China and the EU need to strengthen their communication and deepen mutual trust,” he said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Ahead of the meeting, Von der Leyen and Costa have travelled to Tokyo on Wednesday, where they further strengthened cooperation with Japan. The EU and Japan agreed to deepen their economic ties and work towards a stronger supply chain for rare earth metals.
Chinese president Xi Jinping speaks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa during an EU-China summit © PHOTO Mahesh Kumar A. / POOL / AFP
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