EU’s von der Leyen says China relations at ‘inflection point’ amid tense summit

[China and European Union flags waving. International relations concept.]
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is said to have called for an "essential" rebalancing of trade ties with China during a tense summit on Thursday with President Xi Jinping, saying ties stood at an "inflection point".

Expectations for the summit marking 50 years of diplomatic relations were modest, following weeks of rising tensions and disputes over the event’s format.

At Beijing’s request, the summit’s duration was abruptly cut in half, reduced to a single day.

"As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances. We have reached an inflection point," von der Leyen told Xi during the meeting in the Great Hall of the People, as per a pool report.

"Rebalancing of our bilateral relation is essential ... It is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns, and come forward with real solutions."

However, Xi urged the EU to "make correct strategic choices" during the meeting, state broadcaster _CCTV_ said, in a veiled criticism of Brussels' hawkish stance on China.

At the summit, European leaders are also expected to raise topics such as electric vehicles and Chinese industrial overcapacity.

Shortly before the summit, von der Leyen struck a more conciliatory tone, describing it as an opportunity to "both advance and rebalance our relationship" in a post on X on Thursday.

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