Chinese President Xi Jinping Declines Invitation to EU Anniversary Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined an invitation to the EU-China anniversary summit, opting instead for Premier Li Qiang to attend. Ongoing discussions are focused on the summit’s scheduling and representation level. Trade tensions have marked the EU-China relationship recently, with tariffs and retaliatory measures being implemented.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has officially declined the invitation to attend a summit in Brussels, commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and China, according to the Financial Times. Instead, Premier Li Qiang will represent China and meet with the presidents of the European Council and Commission. This shift in representation is seen as significant given the importance of the occasion.
Traditionally, the Chinese Premier attends the summit in Brussels, while the President hosts the event in Beijing. However, the EU has expressed a desire for President Xi to partake in this milestone event, reflecting the significance of the longstanding relationship between China and the EU.
An EU official indicated that discussions are ongoing regarding the scheduling of the EU-China summit for this year, including deliberations on the appropriate level of representation. The Chinese Ministry, meanwhile, stated that it had no further information to provide regarding the summit.
In recent months, relations between China and the EU have been strained due to mutual accusations of overcapacity, illegal subsidies, and dumping in respective markets. Notably, the EU recently enacted substantial tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China following an anti-subsidy investigation, prompting China’s retaliatory measures including heightened entry barriers for certain EU goods such as brandy.
In conclusion, President Xi Jinping’s refusal to attend the EU-China summit underscores the complexities of bilateral relations amid recent tensions. The involvement of Premier Li Qiang signifies a shift in expected representation and aligns with the ongoing discussions regarding future engagements. The recent trade disputes highlight that, despite a long-standing partnership, challenges persist in the diplomatic and economic interactions between the two powers.
Original Source: al24news.com
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