EC chief U. von der Leyen to Xi Jinping: differences must be resolved

“China is the EU’s most important trading partner,” said U. von der Leyen, “but there are obvious imbalances and differences that we need to address.”

The European Union hopes the two-day summit in the Chinese capital, which brings together the bloc’s leaders and Beijing’s top brass, will provide an opportunity to discuss areas of common interest such as climate change and health.

It is the first face-to-face meeting for the Chinese top leadership in more than four years.

European Council President Charles Michel said at the start of the summit with Xi Jinping that the bloc seeks stable and mutually beneficial relations with China.

“We are unitedly committed to pursuing stable and mutually beneficial relations with China,” Ch said in his opening speech to Xi Jinping. Michelis added that the bloc wants to maintain relations based on the principles of transparency, predictability and reciprocity.

In the opening speech of the meeting, the Chinese president, for his part, told the EU leaders that China and the bloc must solve global challenges together.

“We must respond to global challenges together and work together to promote world stability and prosperity,” Xi Jinping told EWC President and EC chief U. von der Leyen.