Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined to attend a Brussels summit for the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties, with Premier Li Qiang set to participate instead. This decision underscores the current tensions between the two, as they continue to address trade disputes and economic relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined an invitation from the European Union (EU) to attend a summit in Brussels to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the meeting with the presidents of the European Council and Commission, according to the Financial Times.
Traditionally, the Chinese premier represents China at Brussels summits, while the president hosts them when held in Beijing. However, the EU specifically sought Xi’s presence for this significant anniversary. Currently, informal discussions are underway regarding scheduling the summit and determining the level of representation from both sides.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, and the EU, positioned as the third-largest, had a tumultuous year in 2024 filled with accusations related to trade, including overcapacity and illegal subsidies. Recently, the EU implemented double-digit tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles following an anti-subsidy inquiry, in addition to a standard import duty of 10%. This provoked a strong response from Beijing, which retaliated by increasing market access barriers for certain EU goods, such as brandy.
In summary, the absence of President Xi Jinping at the crucial EU-China anniversary summit highlights ongoing tensions in their economic relations. With significant trade disputes on the table, the representation of Premier Li Qiang instead of Xi may signal shifts in diplomatic engagement. Overall, this situation reflects the complexities of EU-China relations, marked by both cooperation and conflict.
Original Source: al24news.com
