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European Union
ChinaDiplomacy

Beijing’s envoy to EU says China and Europe face a choice ‘that could shape the world’s future’

  • Zhang Ming tells seminar the country is committed to opening its markets, and the two sides must choose between cooperation and decoupling
  • Remarks come days ahead of a virtual summit between President Xi Jinping and European leaders on Monday

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China’s envoy to the EU Zhang Ming said the two sides “should make the right choice between opening doors and shutting doors”. Photo: Handout
Wendy Wu

Beijing’s envoy to the European Union has reiterated that China is committed to opening up and called on Brussels to address market barriers to Chinese investment in the bloc.

Zhang Ming also talked up cooperation potential in vaccine development, digital business, climate change, post-pandemic economic recovery, and Africa, in a speech to a business seminar in Brussels on Wednesday, according to a statement from China’s delegation to the EU.

The envoy made the remarks days ahead of a virtual summit between President Xi Jinping and EU leaders on Monday, as Beijing seeks to convince Europe that it will deliver on its promises about opening its markets and free trade.
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It also comes after Beijing sent both its top diplomat and foreign minister on separate European tours in recent weeks as part of efforts to repair its coronavirus-battered image and counter growing pressure from Washington.

04:45

China’s most-senior diplomats, Wang and Yang, conclude back-to-back visits to Europe

China’s most-senior diplomats, Wang and Yang, conclude back-to-back visits to Europe
Foreign businesses have long complained about the gap between Beijing’s promises to open up and the reality on the ground, and there is a heightened sense of frustration among EU diplomats and officials after years of negotiations for an investment treaty with China. Beijing’s support for state-owned enterprises and intellectual property protection are among the sticking points.
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Speaking via video link, Zhang told the seminar that the pace of reform was determined by domestic conditions, but that Beijing would continue to open up.

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