Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined to attend the anniversary summit in Brussels for EU-China relations. Premier Li Qiang will attend instead, marking a shift in traditional representation. Ongoing trade tensions have characterized current relations, impacting diplomatic discussions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has rejected an invitation to attend an anniversary summit in Brussels, commemorating the 50th year of EU-China diplomatic relations, as reported by the Financial Times. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the meeting with the presidents of the European Council and Commission. Typically, the Chinese premier attends this summit when held in Brussels, while the president hosts it when convened in Beijing.
The European Union (EU) is particularly eager for President Xi to participate in the summit as it signifies half a century of relations between the EU and China. Informal discussions are currently underway regarding the scheduling of this year’s EU-China summit and the level of representational participation, according to an EU official. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has not disclosed further information on the topic.
As the world’s second-largest economy, China has recently experienced tensions with the EU, the third-largest economy, following a series of disputes over trade practices. In 2024, both parties exchanged accusations related to overcapacity, illegal subsidies, and market dumping. Most notably, the EU implemented substantial tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, following an anti-subsidy investigation, which led to retaliatory measures from Beijing targeting specific EU products, such as brandy.
In conclusion, President Xi Jinping’s decision to decline the EU summit invitation marks a significant moment in ongoing EU-China relations. As tensions around trade practices continue, both parties must navigate their diplomatic engagements carefully. The engagement of Premier Li Qiang in Xi’s absence highlights the complexities of representation and the significance of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Original Source: al24news.com
