Advertisement
EU foreign ministers set for first talks on China since sanctions blitz six months ago
- Beijing’s recent diplomatic row with Lithuania over Taiwan expected to be high on the agenda
- The talks are designed to take stock of the EU-China relationship at a time of global geopolitical upheaval
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
5
European Union foreign ministers will hold their first high-level talks on China since a flurry of tit-for-tat sanctions in March on Friday, with Beijing’s recent diplomatic row with Lithuania over Taiwan expected to be high on the agenda.
China will feature prominently on the second day of a two-day summit in Slovenia, with the first day of talks devoted to Afghanistan and the EU’s role in “the prevention of a humanitarian catastrophe and a migration wave”, according to an agenda released by host Slovenia, which holds the rotating six-month EU presidency.
The talks are designed to take stock of the EU-China relationship at a time of global geopolitical upheaval.
Advertisement
“The idea is to have a view of where we are in the relationship with China. It’s a complex, multifaceted relationship. We have these three different pillars, from partners to competitors to systemic rivals. And in each of these different comprehensive [relationships], we have had pros and cons, we have had problems, we have had advances,” said a senior EU official involved in the planning of the talks.
02:37
US still has mission to process refugees after withdrawal from Afghanistan
US still has mission to process refugees after withdrawal from Afghanistan
A turbulent first half of the year saw bilateral sanctions initiated by the EU over alleged human rights abuses by China in Xinjiang, followed by the freezing of the EU-China investment deal by the European Parliament.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x