As the 50th anniversary of China–EU diplomatic relations approaches, all eyes turn to the upcoming China-EU Summit on July 24 in Beijing. President Xi Jinping is expected to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, with Premier Li Qiang co-chairing the summit.
According to official Chinese media, the summit offers a crucial opportunity to “deepen strategic communication” and inject stability into a volatile global landscape. With bilateral trade reaching $785.8 billion in 2024, both regions aim to strengthen economic cooperation in sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and rare earths.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized the growing complexity of global politics and reiterated China’s desire to work with Europe to uphold multilateralism, economic openness, and cultural diversity. However, challenges remain: tensions over trade practices, Europe’s stance on the Russia–Ukraine conflict, and speculation over EU alignment with U.S. policy have complicated the bilateral relationship.
European and Chinese business leaders alike are hopeful for substantive agreements, especially in the face of mutual concerns over tariffs and market access. Meanwhile, calls for stronger people-to-people ties and youth exchange programs reflect a broader push for long-term engagement beyond economics.
As geopolitical risks and economic fragmentation grow, the world watches closely to see whether Beijing and Brussels can turn symbolic dialogue into meaningful progress.
