On Thursday, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, began a visit to China with the aim of defending the bloc’s “risk reduction” strategy towards its first trading partner and laying the foundations for holding a summit this year.
Borrell’s visit, which was postponed twice this year, is scheduled to continue until Saturday, during which he will discuss a range of issues, including bilateral relations, international issues, and trade.
Borrell began his visit, on Thursday, with “interesting talks in Shanghai with European companies about economic and trade challenges,” he wrote on the “X” platform.
“We have to meet these challenges,” Borrell said. Because neither we nor China can ignore the other party’s market.”
On Friday, Borrell will hold talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
European Energy Commissioner Cadre Simson during a conference in Beijing on Thursday (EPA)
Borrell wrote on “X” that “this visit is important to discuss relations between the European Union and China and major regional and global challenges with government authorities, university professors and representatives of the business community.”
The European Union stated that this visit, which is part of a series of high-level dialogues with Beijing, “is supposed to lead to a European-Chinese summit during the year.”
No “disengagement”
Sino-European relations have witnessed tension since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Beijing, which calls for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, refrained from condemning Moscow’s attack.
Brussels is seeking to reconcile its determination to reduce its dependence on the Asian giant, especially on the economic level, and maintain strong ties with the world’s second economic power in areas such as trade, climate and human rights.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the European Union wants to “reduce risks” with China, but not to “disengage,” which means reducing relations further.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced on Wednesday that “China is satisfied with the visit of High Representative Borrell,” which “will give new impetus to the two parties’ joint efforts to meet global challenges and maintain peace and stability in the world.”
The Chinese spokesman said, during a routine press conference: “In light of the instability of the international situation and the increasing global challenges, only solidarity and cooperation will allow the international community to confront them better… China and Europe, as two major global powers, two major markets, and two great civilizations, have broad common interests.” .
dispute
Von der Leyen, who made an official visit to China in April, announced last month the opening of a European investigation into the Beijing authorities’ support and assistance to national electric car companies.
She justified this measure by the need to defend European industry against cars sold at “artificially low prices,” as she said, in global markets.
China denounced the investigation, stressing that it would harm its trade relations with the European Union, and stressed: “This is just protectionism.”
China began using electric motors in cars a long time ago, and has surpassed Europe in this field, especially in technology related to batteries.
Its manufacturers are relying on the huge domestic market, the largest in the world, to conquer Europe.
In early October, the Union revealed a list of strategic areas that should be better defended against competing countries such as China, at the forefront of which is artificial intelligence.
During his visit, Borrell will also address the war in Ukraine, at a time when China confirms its neutral position, which is criticized by the European Union.