Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, urging both sides to steer their relationship toward greater stability, cooperation, and mutual respect. The meeting took place during the 25th China-EU Summit, where leaders gathered to address pressing global challenges, trade tensions, and diplomatic differences. President Xi Jinping described China and the European Union as “two big players” in global affairs, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination and clearer direction in their evolving partnership.
China and the EU, as two major forces in the world, should guide their relationship on a steady path and ensure it continues in the right direction, President Xi highlighted during the talks.
The summit comes amid ongoing concerns in Brussels over China’s trade practices and its stance on key geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. European officials have also raised concerns about market access and China’s support for state-owned enterprises, which critics say creates unfair advantages for domestic firms.
Despite the differences, President Xi called for open communication and practical cooperation, reiterating Beijing’s support for a “multipolar world” and pushed back against efforts to isolate China from global trade flows. “We oppose protectionism and decoupling,” President Xi addressed the delegation. “China remains committed to high-standard opening up.”
President von der Leyen acknowledged the importance of dialogue and stressed that the EU remains committed to engaging with China on global climate goals, fair trade, and regional peace. Costa added that the EU seeks a “balanced and reciprocal” relationship with Beijing that respects international norms and ensures long-term peace.
The summit included discussions on trade imbalances, climate cooperation, and technology regulation. EU leaders raised questions about China’s support for Russia and its impact on European security interests, while Beijing reaffirmed its position of neutrality and non-interference.
China remains one of the EU’s largest trading partners. In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded $850 billion, but the gap in exports and imports continues to draw criticism from European industries. The EU has been investigating Chinese electric vehicles over allegations of state subsidies that undercut European manufacturers.
This year’s summit also took place against a backdrop of shifting alliances. Both sides signaled a desire to keep communication channels open, but key differences remain.
Beijing and Brussels agreed to maintain dialogue through regular high-level exchanges and technical consultations aimed at easing tensions and expanding cooperation on shared interests, including climate action and digital governance.
The 25th China-EU Summit concluded with a joint statement affirming a commitment to stability and partnership, while acknowledging challenges that require “mutual trust and pragmatic solutions.”
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