The European Union and China marked 50 years of diplomatic relations during a high-level summit in Beijing attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
The milestone comes amid growing tensions over trade imbalances, market access, and geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine, according to dw.com
Von der Leyen described the relationship as having reached an “inflection point,” urging a rebalancing of trade, citing the EU’s record €306 billion trade deficit with China. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of trust and cooperation in a turbulent world and called on both sides to make the “right strategic choices.”
Despite friction, both parties acknowledged the critical importance of the partnership, with Chinese state media describing the EU as a key ally. However, unresolved disputes over Chinese subsidies, rare earth monopolies, and restricted access for European companies continue to weigh heavily on the relationship.
