Beijing and Brussels need to regroup mutual trust. Josep Borrell, the highest diplomatic representative of the European Union, explained this situation as follows: economy And geopolitics They disrupted the harmony between two ancient civilizations and the current powers on which global harmony depends. With your visit ChineseBoth sides aim to overcome mutual fear and align their paths despite their different understandings of the world. The Middle East conflict once again underlined these.
“In any human relationship, trust is capital, and mutual trust has been eroded. We must work to save it because it will not miraculously return,” Borrell said at Peking University this Friday. Many issues separate Europe from China, but none more than this ukraine war. The former’s persistent aid to Ukraine contrasts with the neutrality of the latter. Borrell admits China did not provide any military aid RussiaIt’s a possibility Washington has repeatedly raised, but has asked him to stop the conflict. “We are not asking you to adopt our position on the war, but we think it is necessary for you to do more to convince the Ukrainian people that you are not an ally of Russia,” he added. Just as Beijing is disturbed by Europe’s disdain for the peace plan, Brussels is disturbed by China’s diplomatic broadcasts regarding Russia.
China struggles to decipher Borrell after friendly messages referencing disturbing events new global order what are you waiting for. First ones in Beijing are recommended. The European diplomat showed his admiration for China’s progress. A case unprecedented in history has been clinched. “China and the EU need to work together and put aside differences. Especially in this world where we are all more dependent but increasingly conflict-ridden (…) China does not understand why we consider it this way, a systemic rival, often a partner, but we also compete . Peaceful competition is not hostile, simply implies recognition of the differences in our respective political and economic systems. But this does not prevent us from cooperating,” he thought.
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His visit had been canceled twice this year, first because he tested positive for Covid and then because Foreign Minister Qin Gang was dismissed. The Catalan politician came to Beijing for some sensitive dates. On the one hand, in the midst of the Middle East crisis, where China is repeating Ukraine’s formula: claiming its own right. impartiality, recalls the historical context and blames the West for the confusion. This is in marked contrast to Brussels and Washington’s staunch support for Israel and their persistent insinuations of “unprovoked aggression” by Hamas. In other news, following the announcement of a European investigation into China’s subsidies for electric cars. Whether the EU punishes or not duty The core strength of a key sector in the green transition. There is no news of any investigation into the generous US aid for the purchase of electric vehicles, as long as they are domestic.
The war in Ukraine has disrupted China’s efforts to get closer to Europe. The macro investment agreement, which took years of patient negotiations, has been put on hold and there is no expectation of its completion. Beijing is desperate to ensure that those in Brussels who support Washington’s hostility prevail over those who advocate an independent European policy. It seems important to reassure China, which presents Europe as a vassal of the USA. “My main goal is to convince my interlocutors that Europe takes China seriously and that there is not enough information on China. hidden agenda To stop its rise. We also hope that China will take us seriously and stop looking at us in terms of its relations with others. Our behavior is guided by our own interests,” Borrell declared.
Overcoming China’s suspicions will not be easy. The press greeted the diplomat with moderate optimism, explaining that the conflict of the last two years could be resolved without difficulty through honest dialogue. But an editorial in the ‘Global Times’ today reminds us that Washington’s intervention in European politics “crosses the line and extends its influence in many respects.”
“Many Chinese believe that Europe’s strategic autonomy is just lip service and that its actions towards China follow Washington’s lead,” the paper says. It lists its positions on Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan. “And its protectionist measures on trade, under the pretext of risk reduction, appear to be a copy of US policies,” he concludes.