EU-China Archives

The EU is preparing counter-measures on China in response to Beijing's new security law on Hong Kong, the bloc's top diplomat said on Monday (13 July), but envoys stressed the likely steps will not amount to economic sanctions.

No tangible progress was made on several key issues as leaders from the EU and China met for a tense virtual summit on Monday (22 June), amid tensions over tariffs targeting Chinese firms and Europe's fears over Beijing's growing global authority.

While the EU is still struggling to find a common position on China, Beijing hopes to boost 'strategic trust' when its leaders hold a video summit with European Council President Charles Michel and Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen next …

The European Commission outlined on Wednesday (17 June) new tools to address the disruption caused by subsidised foreign companies operating in the single market, including the possibility to block the acquisition of European firms.

Twitter on Thursday (11 June) said it removed more than 170,000 accounts tied to a Beijing-backed influence operation that deceptively spread messages favorable to the Chinese government, including about the coronavirus.

A summit planned for September in Leipzig, Germany, between China and the European Union has been postponed because of the coronavirus, the German government said on Wednesday (3 June).

EU-China relations will be one of Germany's EU presidency priorities in foreign policy matters, with an overall objective of "strengthening Europe as an anchor of stability in the world," said Chancellor Angela Merkel. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The EU must adopt a "more robust" strategy to deal with an increasingly assertive China, the EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (25 May), ahead of a scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers meant to discuss EU-China strategy later this week.

European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič has renewed calls for European firms to gain fair market access in China after the global public health crisis has been reigned in, in an effort to restore trust and confidence.

The EU on Thursday (7 May) defended agreeing to let Beijing censor an article by European ambassadors published in Chinese media to remove a reference to the coronavirus originating in China.

China sought to block a European Union report alleging that Beijing was spreading disinformation about the coronavirus outbreak, according to four sources and diplomatic correspondence reviewed by Reuters.

For weeks, China has hardly reported any new cases of coronavirus infections. The economy is showing signs of recovery, but the fear of a "second wave" remains.

In this Special Edition of the Capitals, the EURACTIV Network looks into how China's 'mask diplomacy' has been perceived by the different EU member states facing the COVID-19 crisis.

Beijing strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s latest habit to call the coronavirus a “Chinese virus” and urged everyone to follow the science instead. At the same time, China has stepped up efforts to send equipment and experts to Europe, now the epicentre of the pandemic, in what AFP described as 'mask diplomacy'.

The EU criticised China on Tuesday (25 February) over the jailing of a Swedish book publisher, saying his rights were not respected.

Chinese telecom giant Huawei said on Tuesday (4 February) it would set up manufacturing hubs in Europe, as it tries to fight off US pressure on EU nations to stop it from operating.

Concluding an EU-China investment deal this year would be a “real challenge”, even more as the coronavirus will force both sides to cancel negotiation rounds, warned the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday (21 January) urged Western global powers to include China in their multilateral system and treat Beijing equally rather than freeze it out and risk slipping into a Cold War-style bipolar order.

German prosecutors said they were investigating on Wednesday (15 January) three people who allegedly spied for China, including a former EU diplomat, according to media reports.

The EU, US and Japan put forward on Tuesday (14 January) a proposal to limit industrial subsidies among WTO members and explored ways to address forced technology transfers, two issues at the core of ongoing trade frictions with China.

Chinese foreign affairs minister Wang Yi made a “plea” on Monday (16 December) for launching free trade talks with the EU, in parallel with the ongoing negotiations on an investment deal.

The company Home Credit owned by Czech tycoon Petr Kellner has financed a for pro-Chinese campaign in the Czech Republic. EURACTIV.cz reports.

The Greek government is open to the idea of further Chinese investment into a range of public and private sectors, including in the field of telecommunications, the country's digital minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, told EURACTIV on Tuesday (3 December).

While US President Donald Trump is taking aggressive action against China's trade policy, the German government is reluctant to comment on the recent events in Hong Kong because the German economy needs China. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.