On the economic front, the relationship between Europe and China will require rebalancing, de-risking, and diplomatic improvement concerning climate change and environmental issues, argued Von der Leyen.
She began by acknowledging China as a great global civilization that, over the past 50 years, has emerged as a significant global power.
However, her praise soon shifted to criticism as she accused Beijing of disregarding international rules and flooding global markets with subsidized overcapacity, not only to boost its industries but also to stifle international competition.
China maintains “the largest trade surplus in the history of mankind,” she asserted while noting that European companies found it increasingly challenging to conduct business in the Chinese market, facing systematic discrimination.
The rising obstacles for European companies in China include the requirement to hire localized staff, maintain research and development functions, and keep all IT data within the country, according to an EU Chamber of Commerce in China survey.
“I’ve always said it: Europe is fully committed to result-oriented engagement with China,” Von der Leyen stated, urging Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to real change. “If our partnership is to progress, we require a genuine rebalancing.”
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