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China-EU relations: Europeans seek face time with President Xi Jinping to help soothe ailing ties
- Chinese and European Council presidents are expected to hold talks as early as this month, according to an EU official
- Since their last discussion, tension has risen over human rights and economic practices
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The European Union has pushed for a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease the tension in their relationship, according to European diplomats.
It could happen as early as this month, with Xi expected to speak to European Council President Charles Michel, according to an EU official who declined to be named.
Talks with Beijing may follow discussions between the 27 EU member state leaders on China issues next week in Slovenia, which will be used to assess the state of the EU-China relationship, with a view to working towards a bilateral summit. The European Council is formed of the heads of government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council president and the president of the European Commission.
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There have been no official talks between Xi and Michel since the end of last year and since then ties have deteriorated significantly. Growing concerns about China’s human rights record and unfair economic practices have pervaded Brussels institutions and EU member countries.
Beijing has denied all allegations on both fronts and, in a stream of public statements, focused on strong economic relations rather than strained political ties.
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However, with tit-for-tat sanctions over alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang in March, followed by the freezing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (an EU-China investment deal) in May by the European Parliament, the geopolitical situation has become progressively worse.
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