Incoming EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vows to ‘define’ relations with increasingly assertive China
- Debut media conference comes amid backdrop of calls for a tougher stance on China, with Hong Kong protests driving much of the conversation
- Sweden, an EU member with strained Beijing relations, is expected to unveil a strategic China paper within days
The European Union’s new top official vowed in her debut press conference to “define” the bloc’s future relationship with a “more self-assertive” China.
European Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen spoke to reporters in Brussels on Tuesday as Sweden, an EU member with strained China relations, is to unveil a new strategic paper on the Asian superpower this week.
China has sought to count on European comity as it continues to fight the 13-month-old trade war with the US.
But some European politicians – inspired by US President Donald Trump’s hard-nosed tactics – are calling for a tougher stance on China’s trade practices, cybersecurity threats and human rights policies, with the Hong Kong protests now driving a large part of the conversation.
“[My team] will shape the European way; build our relations with the United States of America – although we have issues, they are our closest ally; define our relations with a more self-assertive China; be a reliable neighbour, for example, to Africa; stand up for our values and world-class standards,” von der Leyen said.