Chinese Foreign Minister Wang receives a welcome from Schaeuble in Berlin. - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang is welcomed in Berlin by Wadephul
In mid-2025, EU-China relations are characterised by a delicate blend of deepening cooperation, ongoing trade tensions, and persistent human rights concerns. As both sides prepare for significant high-level meetings, including an EU-China leaders' summit in Beijing in late July, marking the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, there is a willingness to enhance cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and upholding multilateralism [1][3].
Chinese officials have emphasised their support for European integration and proposed expanding economic and trade cooperation, while also advocating for managing differences through consultation to achieve mutual benefit [1]. However, trade relations face friction, with China extending an anti-dumping investigation on EU pork imports for six more months, impacting exports worth over €1.75 billion, mainly from Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark [2]. Sensitive sectors like pork and electric vehicles remain points of leverage and dispute, indicating that the economic relationship is still fraught even as diplomatic efforts to stabilise relations continue.
Human rights issues remain a contentious area. The EU continues to engage with China through an annual human rights dialogue, but little progress has been made on concerns raised by the EU [4]. Specific issues include the situation in Hong Kong, where the EU insists on respecting rights and freedoms, and the treatment of minority groups such as the Uighurs in Xinjiang, about which the EU consistently raises concerns [1][4].
The EU's engagement with China is further complicated by geopolitical tensions, particularly China's stance towards Russia. While the article does not provide direct, updated details on how China's ties with Russia affect EU-China relations as of mid-2025, it is known from broader context that the EU is attentive to China's stance towards Russia, especially amid ongoing tensions involving Russia and Ukraine [5].
In conclusion, EU-China relations in 2025 reflect a dual track of pragmatic cooperation and deep-seated challenges, especially regarding human rights and trade tensions, with ongoing dialogue but limited breakthroughs in sensitive political matters. The EU faces the challenge of balancing strategic economic engagement with firm demands on human rights and geopolitical issues.
References: [1] European External Action Service (EEAS). (2025). EU-China: A Strategic Partnership. Retrieved from https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/39694/EU-China:-A-Strategic-Partnership [2] European Commission. (2025). EU-China Trade Relations. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/trade-and-intellectual-property/countries-and-regions/countries/china_en [3] Council of the European Union. (2025). Joint Statement by the EU and China on the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations. Retrieved from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/01/joint-statement-by-the-eu-and-china-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-diplomatic-relations/ [4] European Parliament. (2025). EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2025/689367/EXPO_STU(2025)689367_EN.pdf [5] European Council on Foreign Relations. (2025). EU-China Relations: A Tale of Two Tracks. Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.eu/article/eu-china-relations-tale-two-tracks
- The European Union continues to emphasize its commitment to human rights dialogue with China, engaging in an annual discussion and raising concerns over issues such as the situation in Hong Kong and the treatment of minority groups like the Uighurs.
- As the European Union faces challenges in balancing strategic economic engagement with firm demands on human rights and geopolitical issues, such as China's stance towards Russia, EU-China relations in 2025 reflect a delicate blend of deepening cooperation, ongoing trade tensions, and persistent human rights concerns.
