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Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off an EU-China summit aimed at recalibrating strained ties.<\/p>\n
State broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China and the EU must act with foresight amid global instability and make strategic choices, while strengthening cooperation and mutual trust.<\/p>\n
The summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations. Key topics include China’s stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting trade tensions.<\/p>\n
“This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship,” von der Leyen posted on social media platform X after arriving in Beijing.<\/p>\n
Despite being each other’s second-largest trading partners, ties have become increasingly fraught. Brussels is alarmed by a record trade deficit of over \u20ac300 billion ($353 billion) in the last year and China’s export controls on critical rare earths used in electric motors and sensors.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the summit, Costa and von der Leyen visited Tokyo on Wednesday to deepen cooperation with Japan. The EU and Japan pledged to build a “competitiveness alliance,” including increased trade and joint efforts to strengthen rare earth supply chains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n