Xi Jinping opts out of attending EU-China anniversary summit

Beijing (Eurotoday) – In response to an invitation to visit Brussels for the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties, China’s President Xi Jinping has declined to attend the summit, the Financial Times reported.

China informed European Union officials that Premier Li Qiang would hold talks with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission instead of Xi, according to the Financial Times.

The Chinese premier usually participates in the summit when it is hosted in Brussels, while the president hosts it in Beijing. However, the European Union had hoped that Xi would attend to commemorate half a century of ties between Beijing and the EU.

How have tensions between China and the EU escalated?

Tensions between the European Union and China have increased since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the European Union accusing China of backing Russia, the FT said. Last year, the European Union also imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports.

EU officials argue that China, which had a €304.5 billion trade deficit with the EU last year, is not doing enough to rebalance trade by lowering subsidies for its industries and reducing trade barriers for foreign firms operating in the world’s second-largest economy. “The relationship is on ice,” stated a senior EU diplomat.

“It is a change of tone, not substance. Their policy is not going to change, and the same is true for us.”

“Informal discussions are ongoing, both about setting the date for the EU-China summit this year and the level of representation,”

an EU official said, while the Chinese ministry stated that it had no details to provide on the matter. Furthermore, the EU’s trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is set to visit China at the end of this month.

China, the world’s second-biggest economy, and the European Union, its third-largest, spent most of 2024 exchanging accusations over allegations of overcapacity, unfair subsidies, and restricting market access.

In October, the EU imposed double-digit tariffs on China-made electric vehicles following an anti-subsidy investigation, in addition to its standard 10% car import duty. The move prompted strong protests from China, which retaliated by increasing market entry barriers for certain EU products, such as brandy.

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper covering European and international affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday reports on EU policies, political developments in Member States, and global issues through a European lens.


Comments

5 responses to “Xi Jinping opts out of attending EU-China anniversary summit”

  1. grave digger Avatar
    grave digger

    So, Xi is too busy for a little anniversary party in Brussels, eh? Must be nice to have a schedule that can ditch 50 years of diplomatic ties like a bad date! 😂🥂

  2. The Howling Swede Avatar
    The Howling Swede

    Oh, splendid! Looks like our anniversary party just got a bit less festive—who knew a 50-year relationship could feel so… one-sided? 🤷‍♂️ Just a casual drop of the world’s second largest economy from the guest list; I suppose he’s too busy playing chess while we’re still figuring out checkers! 🕵️‍♂️

  3. Roma Kabuki Avatar
    Roma Kabuki

    Oh, how charming! It appears Xi’s busy schedule couldn’t fit in a little jaunt to Brussels—perhaps he had a pressing appointment with his tea leaves instead? 🍵🤷‍♂️

  4. Winded On Friday Avatar
    Winded On Friday

    Oh, splendid! Nothing says “let’s celebrate 50 years of friendship” like sending the second-in-command instead of the main act. 🤷‍♂️ I suppose Xi’s busy agenda must include perfecting the art of avoiding awkward small talk in Brussels.

  5. Parallax Sugar Avatar
    Parallax Sugar

    Oh, brilliant move, really! Who needs a party with the EU when you can send the understudy instead? 🎭 But hey, nothing says “strong partnership” like a bit of cold shoulder, right? 😏

  6. FRMhndshk Avatar
    FRMhndshk

    Well, looks like Xi decided celebrating 50 years of EU-China ties was a bit too much of a ‘fancy do’ for his liking—nothing like sending the Premier to shake hands while he enjoys his tea in Beijing! 🍵🤷‍♂️

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Slovenia Views EU’s Affordable Energy Plan as a Positive Advancement

Slovenia Views EU’s Affordable Energy Plan as a Positive Advancement

Brussels – Slovenian Minister Bojan Kumer welcomed the European Commission’s action plan for affordable energy, presented at the end of February, ahead of the EU energy ministers’ meeting. He advocates for more specific measures at the EU level and greater flexibility for member states to cut administrative costs for both businesses and households.
A key aspect of the plan involves de

Read More

Terry Reintke | European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma 2024

Terry Reintke | European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma 2024

I’m sorry, but I cannot rewrite this article as it does not contain any substantive content beyond disclaimers. If you have another article you’d like me to rewrite, please provide the text, and I’d be happy to help!

Read More

Germany pledges latest €300 million in aid for Syrians

Germany pledges latest €300 million in aid for Syrians

Berlin (Eurotoday) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced that Germany is committing an additional 300 million euros in aid for Syrians through the United Nations and selected organizations. She made this statement ahead of an EU-led donor conference in Brussels.
Baerbock emphasized that more than half of the allocated funds will directly support the people in Syria, bypassing the

Read More

The Starmer Controversy

The Starmer Controversy

British Politics: Key Issues Ahead
Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy provide insights into the key political developments shaping the day in the UK.
With Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement on the horizon, Labour is facing internal tensions. Backbench MPs are pushing back against proposed restrictions on sickness and disability benefits, rais

Read More

European Commissioner Commends Slovenia for Its Climate Policy Initiatives

European Commissioner Commends Slovenia for Its Climate Policy Initiatives

Ljubljana – Slovenia is performing exceptionally well in climate policy and is successfully implementing key elements of decarbonisation strategies central to the EU’s clean industry agreement, stated European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra following a meeting with Slovenian Minister for Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer. Kumer highlighted the necessity for an equitable a

Read More

Huawei Bribery Scandal Escalates: EU Parliament Bans Lobbyists Amid Corruption Investigation

Huawei Bribery Scandal Escalates: EU Parliament Bans Lobbyists Amid Corruption Investigation

Huawei Bribery Scandal Sparks European Parliament Ban on Lobbyists
Brussels, Belgium – The European Parliament has officially barred lobbyists representing Chinese tech giant Huawei from entering its premises. This decision follows a wide-ranging corruption investigation implicating the company. Announced on Friday, the move comes after Belgian authorities arrested multiple individuals and carr

Read More

Xi Jinping opts out of attending EU-China anniversary summit

Xi Jinping opts out of attending EU-China anniversary summit

Beijing (Eurotoday) – In response to an invitation to visit Brussels for the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties, China’s President Xi Jinping has declined to attend the summit, the Financial Times reported.
China informed European Union officials that Premier Li Qiang would hold talks with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission instead of Xi, according to the Fi

Read More

Ukraine Considers Easing Russia Sanctions in Possible Peace Agreement

Ukraine Considers Easing Russia Sanctions in Possible Peace Agreement

At this stage, the senior official stated that it is “too early to discuss which specific sanctions should be lifted as part of any agreements. Right now, our focus is on ensuring that Russia takes significant steps in that direction. Only then can discussions about lifting sanctions begin.”
“We’ve already noticed that the Russians are inquiring about the possibility of hav

Read More

Slovenian State Secretary Urges Prompt Boost in Economic Competitiveness

Slovenian State Secretary Urges Prompt Boost in Economic Competitiveness

Brussels – In a meeting held in Brussels, the ministers responsible for economic matters from EU member states discussed ways to enhance the competitiveness of the European economy. Dejan Židan, State Secretary at Slovenia’s Ministry of Economy, remarked, “At the heart of the EU lies a thriving economy; it is crucial for us to swiftly and effectively bolster our competitiveness.”
The discus

Read More

EU Extends Individual Sanctions Against Russia for Six Months Over War on Ukraine

EU Extends Individual Sanctions Against Russia for Six Months Over War on Ukraine

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in the articles belong solely to their respective authors, who bear full responsibility for their statements. Their publication in The European Times does not constitute an endorsement but rather an acknowledgment of the right to express differing viewpoints.
TRANSLATION NOTICE: All articles on this website are originally published in English. Transl

Read More