EU-China

EU tells China ‘not to interfere’ with Russia sanctions
EU leaders said on Friday (1 April) they had told their Chinese counterparts during a virtual summit that they expect Beijing to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine or, at the very least, "not to interfere" with international sanctions imposed on Moscow.
EU leaders to press China on stance towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EU leaders will press their Chinese counterparts on Beijing's position and potential role amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a virtual meeting on Friday (1 April), marking the first EU-China summit since June 2020.OpinionStakeholder Opinion

An Unstable World Calls for Stronger China-EU Cooperation
The 23rd China-EU Summit will be held tomorrow. China and the EU should be comprehensive strategic partners rather than systemic rivals. In light of the current international situation, China and the EU should work together for enduring peace, sustained security, common development and stronger cooperation.
‘Lithuania mania’ sweeps Taiwan as China spat sizzles
The tiny handful of Lithuanians living in Taiwan is suddenly in vogue among the island's residents after their small Baltic nation did something Taipei has long staked its identity on: stand up to China.
China suspends Lithuanian beef imports as Taiwan row grows
China has suspended imports of beef from Lithuania since Wednesday (9 February), the General Administration of Customs said, amid a growing trade spat with the Baltic nation and its Western allies centred on Chinese-claimed Taiwan.
With China playing the long game, Brussels is getting the short stick
It is clear that the EU must change its approach to counter China and engage in a more explicit realpolitik designed to counter Beijing’s moves, particularly in its own backyard, writes Robert Veldhuizen.
Britain joins EU-China WTO challenge over Lithuania
Britain will join the United States and Australia in backing a European Union trade case against China at the World Trade Organization over Beijing's alleged trade curbs on Lithuania, a move the UK trade minister said would oppose "coercive trading practices".
Russia and China tell NATO to stop expansion, Moscow backs Beijing on Taiwan
Russia and China called in a joint statement on Friday (4 January) for NATO to halt its expansion while Moscow said it fully supported Beijing's stance on Taiwan and opposed Taiwanese independence in any form.
US lawmakers push to rename Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers proposed matching bills in the Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday (3 February) that would require the United States to negotiate the renaming of Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington as the "Taiwan Representative Office," a move certain to anger China.
EU launches WTO case against China over Lithuania row
The European Union angered China on Thursday (27 January) by launching a case against Beijing at the World Trade Organization for targeting Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan.
Beijing Olympics boycott: France vows to coordinate EU position
France, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, will try to reach a common EU position concerning the participation of politicians at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on 4 February.
Taiwan to set up $200 mln fund to invest in Lithuania amid dispute with China
Taiwan said on Wednesday (5 January)6 it would create a $200 million fund to invest in Lithuanian industries and boost bilateral trade as it tries to fend off diplomatic pressure on the Baltic state from China. The Lithuanian government, meanwhile,...
German foreign, sports ministers won’t travel to China for Winter Olympics
BERLIN, Dec 29 (Reuters) – Germany’s ministers for foreign affairs and sports will not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, spokespeople said on Wednesday, as Berlin liaises with its European allies on an overall diplomatic boycott. A foreign ministry...
Dombrovskis: China’s Lithuania blockade hits other EU exports
EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis warned that a Chinese blockade of Lithuania's exports over a dispute about Taiwan was increasingly affecting firms from other EU countries, in an interview published Friday (24 December).
Taiwan will support Lithuania in face of intimidation from China, envoy says
Taiwan will deepen economic ties with Lithuania in a "cycle of goodwill" as it faces pressure from Beijing, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday (15 December), after Lithuania's diplomatic delegation hastily departed China.
With geopolitics in mind, EU Commission presents new tool to deter trade wars
The European Commission proposed a powerful new trade instrument on Wednesday (8 December) that would give it more power to impose sanctions on third countries.
China stops Lithuanian goods at customs, Commission ‘collects information’
China has banned Lithuanian products from entering the Chinese market amid growing tensions, according to Lithuanian media on Thursday (2 December). The European Commission said it is still gathering information and will return to the matter later.
Germany’s incoming foreign minister vows tough China stance
Germany's incoming foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock from the Green party, on Wednesday (1 December) pledged "dialogue and toughness" in dealing with China, and did not rule out a boycott of Beijing's Winter Olympics.
EU calls on China to show proof of tennis star’s wellbeing
The European Union called on Beijing on Tuesday (30 November) to show proof of the wellbeing of tennis star Peng Shuai, adding its voice to international concern about her fate since she alleged sexual assault by a former top Chinese official.
Taiwan, Europe must defend democracy together, president tells visiting Baltic MPs
Taiwan and Europe must work together to defend against authoritarianism and disinformation, President Tsai Ing-wen told visiting lawmakers from the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on Monday (29 November).
China downgrades diplomatic ties with Lithuania over Taiwan
China downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania on Sunday (21 November), expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Baltic State after Taiwan opened a de facto embassy there, escalating a row that has sucked in Washington.
Germany may have been naive on China at first, Merkel says
Germany may at first have been naive in some areas of cooperation with China, but should not sever all connections in reaction to growing tensions, Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Reuters.
The EU must act now to stop abuses against Uyghur people
The European Commission’s proposed mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence laws and a forced labour ban are two powerful instruments that need to be executed effectively to successfully address Uyghur forced labour, write Koen Stoop and Helene de Rengerve.