In a highly anticipated EU-China summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding possible attempts by Russia to undermine the impact of sanctions. The details of Xi's response were not provided in the Chinese media's readout of the meeting, but he emphasized the need for increased understanding and constructive dialogue to handle differences.

The summit, the first in-person meeting between EU and Chinese leaders in four years, took place against the backdrop of China's heightened diplomatic engagement amidst an economic downturn fueled by geopolitical tensions and calls for de-risking from Western nations. Taking the opportunity, Xi positioned China as a reliable partner for Europe's trade and tech sectors, particularly as the United States tightens restrictions on technology exports to its main competitor.

Xi expressed China's willingness to view the EU as a key partner for economic and trade cooperation, a priority partner for tech cooperation, and a trusted partner in industrial and value chains. However, during the subsequent session with Premier Li Qiang, the tone shifted to a more assertive stance against the EU's increasingly assertive agenda towards China. Li firmly stated China's opposition to violations of market economy principles and the politicization and securitization of economic and trade issues. He urged Europe to exercise caution in implementing restrictive trade policies and using trade remedies.

Von der Leyen acknowledged that discussions during the summit included sensitive topics such as the EU's investigation into Chinese state subsidies in the electric vehicle industry. However, she did not elaborate on the specific outcomes. Addressing the EU's growing trade deficit with China, which has reached nearly €400 billion between 2020 and 2022, von der Leyen described the situation as critically imbalanced. She highlighted the intense discussions with Xi and their agreement to delve deeper into various issues in the high-level dialogue.

The European Commission President expressed expectations for concrete steps from China in resolving concerns about cross-border data flows, the lack of market access for medical devices, and the restrictive laws on the cosmetics industry, which is a particular concern for France. The outcomes of these discussions remain to be seen, but the EU-China summit serves as a crucial platform for addressing the pressing and complex challenges between the two economic powerhouses.

Overall, the summit reflects the dynamics of the EU's efforts to assert its priorities and concerns in its relationship with China, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue while highlighting areas of dispute and imbalance. As the EU and China navigate their evolving economic and political landscapes, the outcome of this summit will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of their bilateral relations.

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