EU and China to get to cool tensions in video summit
23 June, 2020
EUROPE and China will seek to cool tensions on Monday (Jun 22) at a video summit, their first formal talks since ties soured over European accusations that Beijing has spread disinformation about the novel coronavirus.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel - the EU's chief executive and chairman - will carry video conferences with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.
"We will be ready to work with China. But we as well expect China to assume its responsibilities among the world's major economies," explained a senior recognized helping make the summit. "The pandemic has got heightened some (EU) concerns."
No joint assertion is expected after the summit, scheduled to begin at 0800 GMT.
EU officials say China has sought to pressure EU countries that criticise its handling of the novel coronavirus, using sociable media to spread false information of European neglect of COVID-19 people. Beijing has denied wrongdoing.
Even prior to the pandemic, both trading partners had differences, including above Hong Kong and an expenditure pact that is being negotiated.
The EU has also faced US pressure to have a tougher stance on China. The bloc is found between your two powers - requiring both and reluctant to alienate either.
EU governments have expressed "grave concern" over China's security rules for Hong Kong, which democracy activists, diplomats and some businesses say will jeopardise its semi-autonomous status and function as a worldwide financial hub.
China's parliament reacted angrily on Saturday to an answer by the EU assembly protesting against the reliability law.
The EU and China are signatories of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, and Brussels is wanting to ensure cooperation with Beijing on climate policy, however the EU accuses China of failing to start its economy despite a 2019 agreement to do so.
Germany has postponed an EU leaders' summit with Xi in September, citing the coronavirus, though diplomats said it had been in part because of the impasse in investment negotiations.
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