Xi hosts EU leaders as summit aims to deepen cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off an EU-China summit aimed at recalibrating strained ties.

State broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China and the EU must act with foresight amid global instability and make strategic choices, while strengthening cooperation and mutual trust.

The summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations. Key topics include China’s stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting trade tensions.

“This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship,” von der Leyen posted on social media platform X after arriving in Beijing.

Despite being each other’s second-largest trading partners, ties have become increasingly fraught. Brussels is alarmed by a record trade deficit of over €300 billion ($353 billion) in the last year and China’s export controls on critical rare earths used in electric motors and sensors.

Ahead of the summit, Costa and von der Leyen visited Tokyo on Wednesday to deepen cooperation with Japan. The EU and Japan pledged to build a “competitiveness alliance,” including increased trade and joint efforts to strengthen rare earth supply chains.