‘Our aim, put simply, is that no company that profits from forced labour in Xinjiang can do business in the UK,’ British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says.
‘No one should make the mistake of assuming there are built-in majorities for any deal’, says Bernd Lange, head of the parliament’s trade committee, though European Commission is still keen to get it done.
French president is advocate of engagement with China but says the West should not be naive about the country.
EU praises Beijing for making an ‘unprecedented commitment’ to provide certainty and predictability to EU businesses.
China will retain tight control over key sectors of its economy under a new investment deal with the EU, despite broadly opening its market to European firms, a leaked draft text shows.
The European Commission boasted success in securing a commitment from China to make efforts to ratify key international conventions against forced labour.
The Chinese president will discuss the final details with Angela Merkel and Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday as Brussels expects it to be ready by end of week.
Agreement ‘could be reached’ this week following movement on major sticking point.
Premier Li calls prime ministers of Spain and the Netherlands, according to Xinhua, seeking ‘an early conclusion’ to the deal.
Days after Chinese foreign minister said the deal would prove the EU and China had much in common, Poland says it need not be rushed through.
Keen amateur runner Max Sprick, 33, found himself struggling to walk more than a few steps after he contracted the disease.
Officials say European Parliament could refuse to endorse deal over Beijing’s failure to commit to International Labour Organisation standards.
While an agreement looks imminent, ‘it remains to be seen how China addresses the EU’s many long-standing concerns’, academic says.
Diplomatic sources say most member states have given proposed agreement their conditional backing, despite failure to secure commitment on workers’ rights.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are understood to be in agreement for the investment deal with China to go ahead, said a source.
The motion comes after the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, dodged questions about plans to sanction officials found to have suppressed Uygurs.
The invitation comes as the US and other Western nations seek to develop a wider alliance to offset China’s growing influence.
Under expected changes platforms such as Facebook, Amazon and TikTok must tackle illegal content and misinformation if operating in the EU domain.
Minister holds discussion with campaigners including Nathan Law and sister of Andy Li, who was held in mainland China while trying to flee.
EU introduces a human rights sanctions programme, but foreign policy head avoids saying if it will be used against Beijing; British minister for Asia, discussing Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong’s jailing, says only that evidence is being collected.
A new report says Beijing poses challenges to democratic countries and the transatlantic alliance must work together to meet them.
Europe has grown wary of its dependence on China and will look elsewhere for a partner on clean and circular technology.
Member nations are called on to ‘increase capacity to anticipate and react to Chinese activities that undermine allies’ security’.
Report by chairman of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee says a transatlantic partnership could foster private-sector investment and ensure maritime security.
UK repeats commitment to banning ‘high-risk’ vendors from its network as it announces new partnership.
China’s leader also vowed to conclude investment deal with the EU this year during conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Chinese foreign minister seeks briefing on the bloc’s initiative for a transatlantic alliance with US president-elect.
Leader of European Parliament’s largest party says reunification of so-called Western world needed now.
French and German foreign ministers say Brussels and Washington should ‘consult’ to coordinate their approach.
French president is among world leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on winning US election but meets key Trump administration member on post-election tour.
