Chinese leaders will host their European counterparts in Beijing on July 24, the Chinese communist regime’s foreign ministry said on July 21.
The summit marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established formal diplomatic relations will be attended by Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, and Li Qiang, the premier, the ministry said.
Brussels said that European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will lead the delegation to Beijing.
The summit will be focused on bilateral relations and “current geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine,” according to the agenda released by the European Council. The focus of the meeting with Li will be “trade and economic aspects of the relationship,” it added.
“This Summit is an opportunity to engage with China at the highest level and have frank, constructive discussions on issues that matter to both of us,” Costa said in a July 18 statement. “We want dialogue, real engagement and concrete progress. We aim for a fair, balanced relationship that delivers for both sides.”
Relations between China and the 27-nation bloc have been strained in recent years, over issues ranging from Beijing’s trade polices to its “no limit“ relationship with Moscow.
Von der Leyen told European lawmakers on July 8 that China’s “unyielding support for Russia is creating heightened instability and insecurity here in Europe.”
“We can say that China is de-facto enabling Russia’s war economy,” Von der Leyen said in Strasbourg on July 8. “We cannot accept this. And I have always said: How China continues to interact with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war, will be a determining factor for EU–China relations going forward.”
On July 18, the EU approved its 18th package of sanctions on Russia, including restrictions targeting seven Chinese firms and financial institutions.
In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce said on July 21 that the move “caused serious negative impacts on China–EU economic and trade relations.” The spokesperson also hinted at potential retaliatory measures.
The EU is also ramping up enforcement of anti-subsidy and environmental rules targeting Chinese electric vehicles. These steps are part of a broader push to create what European officials call a more “level playing field” in global trade.
Brussels said it maintains strong trade ties with Beijing, with bilateral goods exceeding 850 billion euros ($990.5 billion) in 2024. However, a key flashpoint has been China’s state subsidies and a lack of reciprocal market access.
Brussels launched a series of anti-subsidy investigations in 2024, including a probe of Chinese electric vehicle imports.
The European Parliament recently passed a resolution to stand firm on enforcing fair competition rules.
Strategically, the EU is also working to diversify its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. One day before the China summit, von der Leyen and Costa are set to visit Japan to deepen cooperation on trade and defense.
