Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

EU-China ties depend on Beijing's approach to Ukraine war: Borrell

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Apr 2023 13:14
5 Min Read

The European Union's foreign policy chief says he will visit China next week.

  • x
  • EU-China ties depend on Beijing's approach to Ukraine war: Borrell
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed by European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell ahead of a meeting in Brussels on April 4 (Reuters)

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, indicated on Tuesday that the bloc will guide its ties with China based on Beijing's approach to the Ukraine war.

At a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after their bilateral meeting, Borrell said the EU must make China understand that its "position on Russia's atrocities and war crimes will determine the quality of our relations."

"China has a moral duty to contribute to a fair peace and cannot be siding with the aggressor," the top diplomat considered.

"They cannot be militarily supporting the aggression," he added.

Borrell confirmed that the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who will visit Beijing on Wednesday along with French President Emmanuel Macron will convey the same message.

The EU's foreign policy chief also confirmed that he would travel to China next week.

Read more: Responsible Statecraft: China's rise assisted by EU influence decline

Macron, Von der Leyen to make significant visit to China

According to an official from Macron's office who wished to remain anonymous, the French leader hopes to talk Beijing into playing an active role to end the war in Ukraine.

Macron also intends to talk Xi out of assisting Russia in the conflict, as per the official.

"China is the only country in the world capable of having an immediate and radical impact on the conflict, in one direction or the other," the official said.

The French President will discuss the matter with the Chinese leader but will resort to "another path" than the confrontational position that the US holds concerning Beijing.

A delegation of 60 businessmen will also accompany Macron on his official trip, including the chiefs of Airbus and EDF.

Maintaining trade ties between the EU and China is also on Macron's agenda, in addition to preserving France's interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

Related News

EU unveils rare earths plan in attempt to cut dependence on China

Taipei turns to MAGA influencers ahead of Trump-Xi talks

Read more: Xi: EU must strengthen strategic independence for better China ties

'Decoupling China unviable'

Last week, Von der Leyen warned China that its approach to the Ukraine war would determine ties but said Europe was not looking to break away from Beijing.

"We have to be frank on this point. How China continues to interact with Putin's war will be a determining factor for EU-China relations going forward," she said then.

However, the EU commission chief said it "is neither viable -- nor in Europe's interest -- to decouple from China," adding, "We do not want to cut economic, societal, political and scientific ties," but it is important to "rebalance" the trade between the two parties "on the basis of transparency, predictability and reciprocity."

The US' 'little brother'

"The way China positions itself on the war in Ukraine is a disappointment for Europe," a European diplomat in Beijing told AFP. 

However, the diplomat considered it unlikely that Beijing would change its position as it sees the EU as "the United States' little brother."

But resuming meetings between the two parties is a positive development, she added.

Chinese-European trade balance in a bad state

Joerg Wuttke, the head of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, considered that the Chinese-European trade balance is in a bad state.

"Our sales are miserable," Wuttke told AFP.

"Last year, we only shipped 1.6 million containers to China, exports went down dramatically -- and China has been incredibly successful, shipping 6.4 million containers into Europe."

European investments in the Asian giant fell by around 50%, except for Germany which poured large investments into producing electric vehicles in China in recent years.

The European diplomat believed that Beijing will bring up Europe's Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with China, which was long stalled by the EU and was later halted due to human rights allegations against the Asian giant, in addition to sanctions.

"Chinese companies have a strong interest to invest in Europe, that's why China is pushing again for the ratification of the investment agreement," Wuttke pointed out. 

But the "geopolitical conditions have changed so much since the conclusion of the negotiations in 2020, so there is no chance of progress on that point," he said.

The Asia-Pacific has turned into "the nerve center of the planet," and this is due to its huge population and vast resources, highlighted Cedric Perrin, a French senate who took part in writing a report on the region.

According to Perrin, France must "re-state a strong and realistic position towards China, especially regarding the need to respect international law" if it wants to be considered a serious regional player.

Read more: German FM to visit China mid April

  • Beijing
  • Russia
  • EU
  • China
  • Ukraine
  • Josep Borrell
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS