Key points
- EU will look to rebalance economic ties with Beijing: Von der Leyen
- Both sides have accused each other of unfair trade practices
- Beijing has urged the EU to adopt a fair view of China
ISLAMABAD: China confirmed that top leaders from the European Union will visit on Thursday for a summit, as the two major trading partners seek to smooth over a series of trade disputes.
“As agreed between China and the EU, President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit China on July 24,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement Monday, AFP reported.
“President Xi Jinping will meet with them. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang and the two EU leaders will jointly chair the 25th China-EU Summit,” the ministry said.
According to Chinese state-run news agency, Xinhua, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday in Beijing that Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the two EU leaders will jointly chair the 25th China-EU Summit.
The summit will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Brussels, AFP reported.
“Fair and balanced relationship”
But it comes after the two sides have criticised each other for what each sees as violations of the principle of fair trade.
The summit “is an opportunity to engage with China at the highest level and have frank, constructive discussions on issues that matter to both of us”, Costa said in a statement on Friday.
“We want dialogue, real engagement and concrete progress. We aim for a fair, balanced relationship that delivers for both sides,” he said.
Rebalancing economic ties
Von der Leyen said this month that the EU would look to rebalance economic ties with Beijing by demanding it eases market access for European companies and loosens export controls on rare earths.
Beijing’s foreign ministry responded by urging the bloc to “properly handle divergences and frictions” and “establish a more objective and rational understanding of China”, AFP reported.
