The first summit of representatives of the European Union and China since the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago began in Beijing on Thursday, December 7. At the outset, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that China and the European Union must “jointly respond to global challenges and work together to promote world stability and prosperity.”
Echoing Xi’s sentiment, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, emphasized the EU’s desire for stable and mutually beneficial relations with China, underscored by principles of “transparency, predictability, and reciprocity.” He also affirmed the EU’s commitment to upholding its values.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in turn, highlighted the need to address imbalances and differences between China and the EU. “China is the EU’s most important trading partner,” she stated, “but there are imbalances and differences that we need to address.”
Negotiations during the summit will likely tackle sensitive topics such as human rights, democracy, China’s ties with Russia, and trade relations. Regarding trade, Von der Leyen expressed the EU’s concern over the significant trade deficit with China, recently reaching nearly €400 billion. She emphasized the EU’s preference for a negotiated solution but affirmed its readiness to utilize tools to protect its market.
While both sides defend their strategic interests, analysts remain cautious about the summit’s outcome. While substantive results are unlikely, the declarations may project the existing rivalry as a constructive dialogue, aiming to avoid conflict.
