Chinese President Declines EU Invitation to 50th Anniversary Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has rejected an invitation to a summit in Brussels marking 50 years of EU-China relations, with Premier Li Qiang expected to attend instead. The EU is eager for Xi’s representation, but ongoing trade tensions complicate the situation, including recent tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese electric vehicles.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined an invitation to attend the summit in Brussels, celebrating the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations, as reported by the Financial Times. Instead, Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to meet with the presidents of the European Council and Commission in place of Xi. This arrangement typically sees the premier attending when the summit is held in Brussels, while the president hosts it in Beijing.

The European Union (EU) has expressed a desire for Xi Jinping to attend this significant event commemorating half a century of bilateral ties. An EU official mentioned that “informal discussions are ongoing, both about setting the date for the EU-China summit this year and the level of representation.” Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated they had no further information on the summit.

In recent months, China and the EU have been engaged in tensions, primarily revolving around allegations of market practices such as overcapacity, illegal subsidies, and dumping. The EU recently imposed significant tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China following an anti-subsidy investigation, which has provoked strong reactions from Beijing. In retaliation, China has increased restrictions on the import of certain EU products, including brandy.

In summary, President Xi’s decision to decline the EU invitation reflects ongoing diplomatic dynamics between China and the European Union. As the focus transitions to the representation level for the summit marking 50 years of relations, tensions surrounding trade practices continue to shape interactions between these major global economies.

Original Source: al24news.com