China’s President, Xi ready to work with EU to expand ties, handle friction

China’s President Xi Jinping has expressed his readiness to work with European Union leaders to expand mutual openness and properly handle frictions and differences.

According to the official news agency Xinhua, the remarks come on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union as they work to thaw ties amid global trade uncertainty fueled by sweeping US tariffs.

In his remarks, Xi did not mention the United States, but Beijing has been keen to forge closer economic and political links with Europe to limit the damage from President Donald Trump’s tariffs on most of its exports to the United States.

“Healthy, stable China-EU ties not only promote mutual achievements, but also illuminate the world,” he said.

Xinhua added that Xi also urged the EU to jointly safeguard fairness and justice, and oppose unilateral bullying, describing their relations as one of the world’s most influential.

China said it would welcome visits by European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at an appropriate time to jointly hold a new round of meetings of leaders of both sides.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a press conference on Tuesday that China and the EU will hold high-level dialogues on strategy, economy and trade, green development, and digitalization among a series of events this year.

The ministry also confirmed that China and the European Parliament had decided to free up mutual exchanges.

The EU last week said China would lift sanctions on members of the European Parliament and its subcommittee on human rights.

The sanctions were imposed in 2021 over Western measures against Chinese officials accused of the mass detention of Muslim Uyghurs in the far western region of Xinjiang.

“Under the current circumstances, both sides believe it is very important for China and Europe to strengthen dialogue and cooperation,” Lin, the ministry spokesperson, told reporters.

He expressed confidence that renewed talks would inject new impetus in the development of China-EU relations.

China’s President, Xi ready to work with EU to expand ties, handle friction