2023-10-12 06:53:53
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According to the European Union, this visit by its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, the latest in a series of high-level dialogues with Beijing, “should lead to an EU-China summit later this year” . Sino-European relations have been strained since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 because Beijing, which calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all states, has not condemned Moscow.
“Solidarity and cooperation”
Brussels is trying to reconcile its desire to be less dependent on the Asian giant, particularly economically, with maintaining strong ties on trade, the climate and even human rights. Coming to China on an official visit in April, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced last month the opening of an EU investigation into the support and subsidies of the Chinese authorities to national manufacturers of electric automobiles. A measure justified by the desire to defend European industry once morest vehicles sold according to it at “artificially low prices” on world markets.
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China denounced the investigation, stressing that it would damage its trade relations with the European Union. “This is nothing other than pure protectionism,” judges Beijing. The Asian giant has been banking on electric engines for a long time and has taken a lead over Europe, particularly in battery technologies. Its manufacturers rely on their immense domestic market, the first in the world, to now conquer the European continent thanks to the strong economies of scale from which they benefit.
At the beginning of October, the EU also unveiled a list of strategic areas which must be better defended once morest states considered rivals such as China – in particular artificial intelligence. But Ursula von der Leyen recently said the EU wanted “risk reduction” with China but not “decoupling” – a latter term that refers to a sharper breakdown in relations.
Read also: China in the sights, the EU defends its key technologies
We will also have to talk regarding Ukraine
“China welcomes the visit of High Representative Borrell” which “will give new impetus to the joint efforts of the two sides to address global challenges and maintain peace and stability in the world,” welcomed Wang Wenbin, a foreign minister, on Wednesday. – spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “While the international situation is unstable and global challenges are multiplying, only solidarity and cooperation will allow the international community to better meet them,” he stressed during a regular press briefing. “As two major global forces, two major markets and two major civilizations, China and Europe have broad common interests,” he said.
Josep Borrell’s visit should also make it possible to address the war in Ukraine. China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict, a position criticized by the EU. The European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, declared last month during a visit to China that Beijing’s refusal to condemn the Russian invasion “harms the image” of the country.
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