The first planned visit was postponed in mid-April when Borel contracted Covid, while the second was canceled without explanation at the last minute by Beijing
After one postponement and one cancellation, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is visiting Beijing next week, a European official announced today.
The first planned visit to China was postponed in mid-April when Josep Borrell contracted Covid, while the second visit was canceled without explanation at the last minute by Beijing.
Finally, the visit of Josep Borel will take place from October 12 to 14.
The visit is critical
In Beijing, he will meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the framework of the “EU-China strategic dialogue” to discuss “bilateral relations as matters of foreign policy and security policy,” according to a European source.
The focus of the talks will be the strategy presented in June by the European Commission to address the risks posed by economic security of the European Unionan area China is targeting.
Brussels seeks to adopt a European position vis-Ã -vis Beijing, without necessarily having to be tied to Washington’s position.
The visit takes place at the moment when the European Union started in September investigation into Beijing’s suspected illegal financing of Chinese electric car makerscausing new tension in relations with the Asian giant.
The European Commission also highlighted Tuesday list of four strategic areas which should be more closely monitored and protected against competing states such as China – semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and biotechnology.
“Financial security is not just a technological issue. We will examine which technologies place us in a position of dependence (…) All this has an effect on our foreign policy”, Josep Borel had stated in July.
Another tough issue: MEPs on Tuesday gave final approval to a new European tool that punishes any country that uses economic sanctions to put pressure on a member of the European Union.
This tool is not specifically targeted, but it is certain that it mainly concerns Beijing. It could be used in a conflict like the one Lithuania has had with China, European officials say.
Last year, Beijing took action against Lithuania after Vilnius gave its approval to Taiwan to open a diplomatic mission in the Baltic country.
Source :Skai
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