New EU chief Ursula von der Leyen takes helm amid growing European suspicion of China
- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Commission President Beijing hoped to remain a key partner for bloc despite being labelled ‘strategic rival’ earlier this year
- Growing concern about allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang casts a shadow over relations between Beijing and Brussels
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has told the European Commission’s new president that the bloc will remain a key partner for China, as Beijing faces increasing suspicion in Europe.
They spoke on Ursula von der Leyen’s first day in office on Sunday, pledging to deepen cooperation – including on climate change – and work to agree a key trade deal by next year.
However, Europe as been putting increasing pressure on Beijing over allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang – where an estimated one million Muslims have been detained in reeducation camps.
The EU is currently in discussions about sending an inspection team to the region, according to Reuters, but has yet to agree on the conditions for the visit.
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Beijing’s attitude towards von der Leyen is likely to be one of caution as it watches to see how she responds to what analysts said was a growing suspicion about China across Europe.
“This is a very important time for bilateral ties. The need for cooperation on both sides is increasing, but on the other hand, mutual doubts also seem to be rising,” said Cui Hongjian, a senior fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.
“The objective for von der Leyen will be to make sure Europe is on a stable course, rather than a volatile one. The signs of volatility are already on the rise.
“Europeans’ lack of faith in China, and criticisms, are on the rise and it seems that there’s been a loss of patience as well,” he said.
“She will have to find the mainstream of the relationship, which is the space of cooperation, as opposed to conflict,” said Cui.
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In September von der Leyen said working to “define [the EU’s] relations with a more self-assertive China,” would be a priority for her administration.
In March, the EU defined China as a “systemic rival” for the first time amid growing frustration at the slow pace of economic reform.
“Von der Leyen cannot go against the overall trend of greater economic cooperation between China and Europe,” said Shen Yiru, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
“The European economy is not very strong at the moment, and there will be an even greater need for the Chinese market.
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Germany’s economy nearly slipped into a recession in the third quarter of this year, growing by just 0.1 per cent, while the EU as a whole is expected to grow at 1.1 per cent this year.
The two sides are also trying to agree a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment by next year, increasing the frequency of talks between the two sides this year.
Although they were able to reach an agreement on geographical indicators for selected food products last month, Ding Chun, professor of European studies at Fudan University, said relations were “not very warm” at the moment.
“But China has always emphasised, since the beginning of this year, that the EU and China have more room for cooperation than we have disputes,” Ding continued.
“It's the beginning for von der Leyen, so it's not clear yet what she will do for the EU-China relationship, but the priority of her administration appears to be more about climate change, immigration, and other domestic issues.”
