China-EU Summit on the 7th in Beijing: "An Important Role for the Future"

Xi Jinping Meets with EU Council President and Commission President

The China-European Union (EU) summit will be held on the 7th in Beijing, China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping [Photo by Yonhap News]

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on the 4th through the official website that the 24th China-EU summit will take place in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to meet with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

Spokesperson Hua added that Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also co-chair the talks with President Michel and President von der Leyen.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained at a regular briefing that "the summit is being held to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the China-Europe summit mechanism," adding that "various sectors in China and Europe, as well as the international community, are paying great attention."

Wang further stated, "The summit will engage in in-depth exchanges on the direction of bilateral relations, strategic issues, and common global agenda items, and will plan the blueprint for the development of bilateral relations."

China and the EU agreed to conclude the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) in 2020 after about seven years of negotiations, but in March of the following year, the EU sanctioned Chinese officials over human rights issues in Xinjiang. China retaliated with sanctions against members of the European Parliament, escalating the conflict.

Additionally, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine-Russia war and the EU’s alignment with the US in pressuring China have further deteriorated their relations.

Wang said, "China and Europe are not adversaries but partners, and their common interests far outweigh their differences," expressing hope that "this summit will play an important role for the future, enhancing understanding and trust through strategic communication, and seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiation."