Politics EU-China summit: Von der Leyen and Costa meet Xi
China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping received EU Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the start of the EU-China Summit in Beijing. This was reported by Chinese state media.
24.07.2025, 06:40
SDA
According to Chinese state television, Xi emphasized that both sides must act with foresight and make the right strategic decisions in the turbulent international situation. The EU and China should therefore strengthen their cooperation and promote mutual trust, he said.
Von der Leyen wrote on the online platform x after her arrival in Beijing: "This summit is an opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relations."
From war to trade
China and the EU are also celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this time. Among other things, the EU wants to talk to the Chinese leadership about China's role in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and discuss problems in trade relations.
China and the EU are each other's second most important trading partners, but the trade deficit of more than 300 billion euros last year is causing displeasure in Brussels. In addition, many companies are concerned about China's export controls, especially on seven rare earths, which the industry urgently needs for electric motors and sensors.
Previous meeting with Japan
A day earlier, von der Leyen and Costa had emphasized a strengthening of the partnership with G7 member state Japan in Tokyo. Among other things, both sides want to increase their trade through an "alliance for competitiveness" and ensure economic security through cooperation in supply chains for critical raw materials, semiconductors and batteries.
