European Council President Visits Beijing
The first direct meeting between Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, and the China’s Chairman Xi Jinping, which took place on 1 December in Beijing, does not mean there will be an improvement in EU-China relations. Both sides presented a catalogue of differences on various issues, but emphasised the need for cooperation. China’s policy goal is still to weaken the cooperation between the EU and the U.S., as well as convincing the EU of China’s readiness to act to end the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The president of the European Council referred positively to strengthening cooperation, but emphasized that there are contentious issues concerning, among others, the assessment of trade issues and Russia’s policies.
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