A ceremonial summit in difficult times. Leyen and Costa will meet with Xi Jinping

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday the visit of European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the 25th EU-PRC Summit, which will take place in Beijing on July 24. On that day, the heads of EU institutions will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the summit will be co-chaired by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The meeting will take place on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Brussels.

The visit comes at a time of trade and political tensions between the EU and China, with both sides criticizing each other for violating fair trade principles.

Costa noted on Friday that the summit "is an opportunity to establish dialogue with China at the highest level and hold frank, constructive discussions on issues important to both sides."

"We want dialogue, real engagement, and concrete progress. We strive for fair, balanced relations that will benefit both sides," the European Council president argued.

Earlier, von der Leyen announced that the EU would seek to restore balance in economic relations by demanding that Beijing facilitate market access for European companies and ease export controls on rare earth metals.

Chinese authorities have repeatedly called on the bloc to “properly resolve differences and frictions” and “achieve a more objective and rational understanding of China.”

Another point of contention is the war in Ukraine, where the EU accuses China of tacitly supporting Russia, a charge Beijing denies. Last week, Brussels announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, also targeting Chinese entities, including banks. Beijing condemned the decision, warning that it would have a "serious negative impact on China's economic and trade relations with the EU."

The two sides also clashed over Chinese state support for electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as TikTok's use of Europeans' personal data.

From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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