Eu leaders head to Beijing with a plethora of concerns, Will Xi Jinping listen?
The one-day summit marks the first face-to-face EU-China meeting in four years, following a bittersweet virtual session last year that Borrell himself referred to as "the hearing of the deaf."
Brussels carries a long list of economic grievances it feels must be addressed to improve relations with its major trading partner. Meanwhile, Beijing is preoccupied with strengthening ties with critical trade partners and grappling with escalating domestic economic challenges.
Early this week, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi lauded the visit as an opportunity to "elevate China-EU relations to a new level and create new prospects," urging both sides to "maintain tranquility and focus on practical cooperation."
Li Mingjiang, an extraordinary professor of international relations at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, noted that with pressing domestic economic woes, China has a strong incentive to further improve relations with European countries.
Given the "deep-rooted divergences" between the two parties, spanning everything from economic relations to opposing stances on the Russian war in Ukraine, expectations for a significant breakthrough are modest.
Experts will closely observe if Xi Jinping, despite his rhetoric and economic pressure, is open to collaboration on key matters with European leaders.
On the agenda
The summit takes place amidst a comprehensive EU review of its China policy. In January, the EU pressed for the need to eliminate risks from China's supply chains and secure crucial technologies.
The EU leaders set to meet in Beijing will be joined by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, and Josep Borrell, the high-ranking EU diplomat. They will meet Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, who has been exerting pressure on the event due to economic concerns.
In advance of the summit, EU leaders have spoken openly about pressing issues and signaled a more demanding stance if no progress is made.
A major concern is the enormous trade deficit between the EU and China, which Brussels attributes to Chinese subsidies for companies and entry barriers to the Chinese market.
In a discussion with EU diplomats last month, Borrell warned that "if China continues to deny reality and the consequences of this imbalance, there is a risk that the demand for more protection in Europe will increase."
In September, the European Union announced it would launch an investigation into state support for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers after an increase in Chinese auto imports raised concerns about the future of European carmakers.
The Chinese government condemned the EU move as a "protectionist tactic" and claimed the swift growth of their electric vehicle industry is due to technological innovation, free competition, and a complete industrial supply chain.
China has also resisted EU's risk reduction policies and launched a diplomatic campaign, criticizing it as illogical and politically motivated, with state-affiliated media particularly targeting Von der Leyen for her role in pushing the policy through.
Analysts suggest Peking may make some gestures to expand investment markets or address trade deficits at the closely watched summit, but expectations for substantial advancements from Europe's perspective are low.
'Friendly place' for foreign business
Facing deep-seated international criticism over its treatment of Hong Kong, human rights concerns in Xinjiang, and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's relations with Europe have been strained.
The visiting European leaders are expected to urge Xi Jinping to ensure Chinese companies do not support Russian military activities, as opposed to the U.S., which has already imposed sanctions on relevant Chinese entities.
Both sides will likely discuss the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, with China having yet to condemn Hamas attacks, while Europe and the United States have been critical of Israeli actions in Gaza. The unrest has left more than 15,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry in Gaza.
Last month, von der Leyen emphasized that China and Europe share a common interest in Middle East stability and urged China to leverage its influence over Hamas to prevent conflict escalation. In another statement, she underscored the importance of addressing the challenges in managing the relationship.
"There has never been a more important time to steer China in the right direction," she said.
Sources
- edition.cnn.com
Enrichment Data:
Children of the Cold War: Europe's complex and evolving approach to China policy:
1. Hawkish Stance: Under the EU Commission presidency of Ursula von der Leyen, Europe has taken a more assertive stance on China, emphasizing de-risking policies, economic security frameworks, and trade investigations. This approach has been criticized for potentially alienating Europe in a competition neither the U.S. nor China desires.
2. Strategic Outlook: The EU has historically opted for a cautious approach toward China, as evident in the 2019 EU-China Strategic Outlook and the European Council’s Conclusion on China. However, there has been a shift towards a more confrontational stance since von der Leyen's speech in March 2023 and the release of the European Economic Security Strategy in June 2023.
3. Regulatory Tightening: The EU has tightened oversight over Chinese firms, introducing new regulations targeting platforms such as Shein and Temu to address product safety concerns. This aligns with the EU's continued focus on protecting its interests and addressing market distortions.
4. Trade Tensions: The EU and China have been grappling with trade tensions, particularly involving proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). These disputes demonstrate the need for both sides to engage in dialogue and negotiate collaboratively to find mutually agreeable solutions.
5. Diplomatic Efforts: The EU and China are poised to hold a joint summit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, despite ongoing trade tensions and concerns over the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. The goal of this summit is to enhance strategic communication, strengthen mutual trust, and deepen cooperation between the two entities.
6. China's Engagement: Chinese President Xi Jinping has been actively reaching out to European leaders in recent times, encouraging them to actively engage in improving strained relations. During his European tour, Xi emphasized the EU's importance as China's major trading partner and highlighted the complementary nature of their economic and trade relations.
Expectations for the Meeting with Xi Jinping
1. Mutual Respect and Cooperation: The meeting aims to prioritize mutual respect and cooperation between the EU and China, focusing on dialogue and collaboration to address trade disagreements and other pressing issues such as climate change and the Russian war in Ukraine.
2. Trade Negotiations: The summit will likely include discussions on trade negotiations, with China expressing concerns about potential "unreasonable taxation measures" imposed by the EU. Both sides have pledged a commitment to finding a mutually acceptable resolution, preserving the possibility for further negotiations.
3. Economic Cooperation: The meeting will emphasize the importance of economic cooperation, with China reaffirming its commitment to high-quality development and new opportunities for collaboration. The EU, meanwhile, will stress the need for robust regulatory tools to address market distortions and enhance supply chain resilience.
All in all, the EU-China summit aims to navigate the complexities of their relationship, balancing strategic autonomy with economic interests, and fostering constructive cooperation in the face of ongoing challenges.
