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Xi Jinping skips EU invitation to annual summit
(MENAFN) Chinese President Xi Jinping has rejected an invitation to attend a high-profile EU-China summit in Brussels this year, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides, The Financial Times reported on Sunday.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Brussels, particularly over trade disputes. The EU has accused China of overproducing and dumping key goods in European markets, leading to the imposition of tariffs on Chinese products. Beijing retaliated with its own trade measures, further straining relations.
According to FT, China has informed EU officials that Prime Minister Li Qiang will represent Beijing at the summit, meeting with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission in Xi’s place. While it is customary for the Chinese premier to attend summits in Brussels and for the president to host them in Beijing, EU officials had hoped Xi would make an exception given the milestone event.
“Discussions are still ongoing regarding the date and level of representation for this year’s EU-China summit,” an EU official told the FT. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry declined to comment on the matter.
Tensions between the EU and China have intensified since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, with Brussels accusing Beijing of backing Moscow by supplying dual-use components that could be used for military purposes. China has maintained a neutral stance, refusing to impose sanctions on Russia and instead deepening trade ties with its neighbor.
Trade disputes have further widened the rift. The EU imposed tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric vehicles last year, citing unfair government subsidies. Beijing responded by slapping tariffs of 30.6% to 39% on European brandy imports, a move that particularly impacted French cognac producers. China has also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the EU of trade protectionism and violating WTO rules.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Brussels, particularly over trade disputes. The EU has accused China of overproducing and dumping key goods in European markets, leading to the imposition of tariffs on Chinese products. Beijing retaliated with its own trade measures, further straining relations.
According to FT, China has informed EU officials that Prime Minister Li Qiang will represent Beijing at the summit, meeting with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission in Xi’s place. While it is customary for the Chinese premier to attend summits in Brussels and for the president to host them in Beijing, EU officials had hoped Xi would make an exception given the milestone event.
“Discussions are still ongoing regarding the date and level of representation for this year’s EU-China summit,” an EU official told the FT. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry declined to comment on the matter.
Tensions between the EU and China have intensified since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, with Brussels accusing Beijing of backing Moscow by supplying dual-use components that could be used for military purposes. China has maintained a neutral stance, refusing to impose sanctions on Russia and instead deepening trade ties with its neighbor.
Trade disputes have further widened the rift. The EU imposed tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric vehicles last year, citing unfair government subsidies. Beijing responded by slapping tariffs of 30.6% to 39% on European brandy imports, a move that particularly impacted French cognac producers. China has also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the EU of trade protectionism and violating WTO rules.
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