EU seeks to project united approach towards China ahead of high-level Brussels meetings

Bloc aims to ‘de-risk and diversify’ for mutual economic benefit yet not ‘decouple or turn inwards’, according to leaked draft statement seen by Post

But concerns within EU persist regarding China’s alliance with Russia amid Ukraine war as well as Beijing’s actions in Taiwan Strait and on human rights

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European Council President Charles Michel believes the meetings in Brussels will afford an opportunity to reconfirm the bloc’s broad and united stance towards China, according to a leaked EU statement. Photo: AFP

Priyanka Shankarin Brussels

Published: 4:42am, 30 Jun 2023Updated: 5:14pm, 2 Jul 2023

Corrected [5:13pm, 2 Jul, 2023]

[5:13pm, 2 Jul, 2023]
An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Lithuania had diplomatic relations with Taipei.

Brussels is eager to project a united EU approach in its China policies despite some divergent positions among members, as the 27-nation bloc’s leaders gather in the Belgian capital for a two-day summit.

In a letter to EU leaders ahead of the high-level meetings, EU Council President Charles Michel said discussions on China – expected to be held on Friday – would give an opportunity to “reconfirm” the bloc’s “broad and united stance” towards the country.

European Union leaders were expected to assert that “engagements with China will continue on global challenges”, according to a leaked EU draft of conclusions seen by the Post.

The bloc would “de-risk and diversify where necessary and appropriate, in order to achieve a balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial economic relationship” with Beijing, the statement read.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s road map for de-risking the EU’s economic ties with China has prompted hesitation from some member nations that express concern about national security. Photo: EPA

“The European Union does not intend to decouple or to turn inwards,” it added. “Its policies are not designed to harm China nor to thwart China’s economic progress and development.”