The European Union and China are to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in Beijing, as many contentious issues dampen the festive mood. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang on Thursday…
The murmurs of a détente that grew in the first quarter have given way to fresh tensions, with the problems between the two sides multiplying and widening to a surprising degree before Thursday’s showdown in the Chinese capital. In recent months, trade friction and China’s support for Russia have resurfaced as flashpoints, dashing any prospect…
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…
The European Union has sanctioned two small Chinese banks in its latest package of measures designed to hobble Russia’s war machine, despite a warning from Beijing to expect consequences. Suifenhe Rural Commercial Bank and Heihe Rural Commercial Bank, two regional lenders from cities close to China’s border with Russia, were blacklisted in the 18th package…
European Union envoys to China say they have low expectations of any substantial achievement at the coming EU-China summit, citing complex trade challenges and the ongoing Ukraine war. “I am sorry to be pessimistic – the next EU-China summit will be a wonderful summit with wonderful statements of principles, but I doubt that we will…
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s top diplomat on Wednesday that Beijing cannot afford a Russian loss in Ukraine because it fears the United States would then shift its whole focus to Beijing, according to several people familiar with the exchange. The comment, to the EU’s Kaja Kallas, would confirm what many…