Xi Jinping Meets with EU Leaders in Beijing, Marking 50 Years of Ties

On Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a meeting in Beijing with both Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. The Xinhua News Agency provided coverage of this significant diplomatic encounter. The meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue and interaction between China and the European Union.

The visit by the European officials to China was planned in accordance with a prior agreement reached between China and the European Union. The date set for this high-level visit is July 24th. This upcoming visit is expected to address a range of topics and further develop the relationship between the two entities.

Ursula von der Leyen, in a post on X, offered her perspective on the summit. She emphasized the importance of the meeting, particularly as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Europe and China. She expressed her conviction that the summit provided an opportunity to both strengthen and rebalance the relationship. Von der Leyen also conveyed her belief in the potential for collaborative efforts that would be advantageous to both sides, and that these efforts could define the next half-century of their relationship.