Chinese and European Union leaders have agreed to deepen cooperation to counter the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s policies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang exchanged letters with EU Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that China is ready to work with the EU to promote mutual transparency and effectively manage differences. He called on both sides to uphold multilateralism and fairness and oppose unilateral actions.
In their letter, the EU leaders noted that the anniversary is accompanied by global uncertainty and geopolitical changes. The EU is committed to deepening its partnership with China and stressed that a balanced relationship based on fairness and reciprocity is in the common interest.
China and the EU are preparing for the July Beijing Summit, which is expected to discuss strategic cooperation, trade, eco-development, and digitalization. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it welcomes the two EU presidents’ visit to China.
In addition, China has officially lifted sanctions imposed on five EU members of parliament in 2021 in response to the EU’s criticism of China’s human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. The move is seen as a step towards easing tensions between China and the EU.
However, the EU has stated that its sanctions will remain in force until the human rights situation in China, and in particular in Xinjiang, improves. The EU has stressed that improving relations with China depends on progress in human rights.
These developments demonstrate the efforts made between China and the EU to restore relations and deepen cooperation in the face of global challenges.
