China demands EU to 'clarify' strategic relationship with Beijing

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Jul 2023 15:38

While some EU states raise concern that a trade war could impact their economies, others say that the time has now come to raise protectionist barriers to protect the bloc's economy.

Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi speaks during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting. (AP)

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday that the EU must not "vacillate" on its position with regard to Beijing and needs to "clarify" its strategic relationship, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

This comes after Germany, Europe's biggest economy, announced on Thursday plans to de-risk its ties with China. Other EU leaders are planning to follow suit.

"The EU side should... clarify the positioning of the strategic partnership between the two sides, and promote China-EU relations to move forward," Wang told Borrell during a meeting on the sidelines of Southeast Asian talks in Jakarta, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"It should not vacillate, let alone encourage words and deeds that turn the clock back," Wang added.

While some EU states raise concern that a trade war could impact their economies, others say the time has now come to raise protectionist barriers to protect the bloc's economy.

Earlier in January this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU's approach to China could be described as "de-risking rather than decoupling."

"There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU," Wang said.

With regard to Ukraine, Wang added, "China supports the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture" and that Beijing is "committed to promoting peace talks."