Xi Jinping Snubs EU-China Anniversary Summit

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Chinese President Jinininping has rejected an initial invitation to visit Brussels to mark the 50th anniversary of the ties, as the EU calls into question the sincerity of recent Chinese overtakes.

Beijing told EU officials that China’s second -placed leader, Prime Minister Lee Kyang, will meet with European Council presidents and the Commission in Brussels on Summit Instead of XI, two people said.

The host of the EU-China summits is traditionally changed between Brussels and Beijing. The Prime Minister usually attends the summit in BrusselsAnd Xi is hosting it in Beijing, but the EU believes the importance of this meeting – to mark half a century of diplomatic relations – means that the Chinese President should attend, the people say.

The two sides say the talks continued, but the initial beam confirmed the view among many in Brussels that China would not add concrete activities to its warm words for the need to cooperate in front of US President Donald Trump’s face on the multilateral world order.

This year’s summit comes in particularly sensitive time for EU-China relations.

Tensions between Brussels and Beijing have grown from Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022, accusing China of supporting Cremlin. The block also imposed tariffs on import of Chinese electric vehicles, claiming to be subsidized.

EU officials say China, which last year had a trade deficit of 304.5 billion euros with the block, does not do enough to rebalance trade by reducing subsidies for its industries and reducing trade barriers for foreign companies working in the world’s second -largest economy.

“The relationship is on the ice,” one senior EU diplomat said. “It is a change in tone, not the substance. Their policy will not change and the same goes for us. “

Lu Shay, a former Chinese open ambassador to France, who is now a special representative of Beijing for European affairs, said China’s policy towards Europe has always “advocated for peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit”.

“This has never changed. Only as contrasting with the current US policy towards Europe makes China’s policy towards Europe even more visionary, fair and reasonable. I hope this can serve as a wake -up call (for Europe), “he said.

Known as a diplomat “Wolves” for his aggressive diplomacy, Lou caused outrage in Europe last year, when it was suspected whether Crimea was part of Ukraine and the sovereignty of the former Soviet republics, such as EU members, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

His appointment to manage China’s diplomatic relations with Europe, some commentators considered it to strengthen Beijing’s stance, but at the same time, another EU diplomat said: “A Chinese offensive for Sharm is underway.”

“China even said they expect Europe to have a place at the negotiating table (in peace talks in Ukraine),” the diplomat added. “I also hear less talking about EU-China’s trade friction. They still exist, but there is less focus on that. “

EU Chief of Trade, Maros Sefovic, is due to visit China at the end of this month. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Statements of the Financial Times last month That the EU should also see potential opportunities. When China “can be a partner – to use it,” Albares said.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in February that although the EU would retain “de-risk” with the protection of its industry, “we can find agreements that can even expand our trade and investment links.”

Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs for steel and aluminum forced the EU to respond, even while industrial groups warn of the damage it will cause. But a senior EU official said a critical focus when it comes to China is the defense measures to keep a “wave” of Chinese products displaced by the US market by tariffs.

On Friday, the EU launched an investigation against dumping against Chinese adipic acid exports, used to produce nylon and many other products. It is the 11th case of October, including those related to pastry shop, metal screws and candles.

“Informal discussions are also underway to set the date of the EU Summit China this year and the level of representation,” an EU official said.

The Chinese foreign ministry said there was “no information to be given” on the issue.