China-EU summit scheduled for Beijing: strategic and economic issues to be discussed

The China-EU summit will be held on Thursday in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, indicating that the leaders of both sides will discuss strategic and global economic issues of mutual interest, UNN reports citing Reuters.

Details

"China and Europe are partners, not rivals... our common interests far outweigh our differences," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Wang said.

"We will explore ways to solve problems through dialogue and consultation," Wang said, adding that "we will cooperate to confront global challenges, give the world a new impetus and enhance the stability of the international situation."

Addendum

The summit follows several high-level meetings between the EU and China in Beijing several months earlier, aimed at finding common ground in their difficult relationship.

The EU committed in the middle of this year to reduce its dependence on China and discussed how to find a balance between "risk reduction" and cooperation in areas such as climate change.

In September, the EU agreed to set up dispute settlement mechanisms when European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis visited Beijing, less than two weeks after the European Commission launched an investigation into whether punitive duties should be imposed on cheaper Chinese electric vehicle imports to protect EU manufacturers.

The following month, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, told Chinese officials that Brussels takes China seriously and expects the same in return on geopolitical issues and trade.

Last month, China said it would temporarily allow visa-free travel for citizens of some countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Although the talks were largely focused on trade, economics and politics, Human Rights Watch EU director Philippe Dam urged Michel and von der Leyen to put pressure on China on human rights violations.