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Wang Yi's trip to the EU: Dialogue amid growing global uncertainty

Li Jianhua in Brussels

 , Updated 18:15, 02-Jul-2025

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is embarking on a week-long visit to Europe until July 6, with stops in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. 

The visit marks the latest round of high-level diplomatic engagement between China and the European Union, as both sides seek to stabilize ties amid mounting global uncertainty and trade tensions.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, the visit aims to enhance mutual understanding, build trust, and lay political groundwork for future interactions between Chinese and EU leaders as unprecedented global changes unfold at a faster pace and unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices are on the rise.

 

Chinese foreign minister's itinerary

Wang Yi is visiting Europe at the invitation of the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

His itinerary includes co-chairing the 13th round of the China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, the 8th round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security and a high-level meeting on people-to-people exchanges in France. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Belgium, Germany and France this week. /Geert Vanden Wijngaert and Tingshu Wang/AP
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Belgium, Germany and France this week. /Geert Vanden Wijngaert and Tingshu Wang/AP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Belgium, Germany and France this week. /Geert Vanden Wijngaert and Tingshu Wang/AP

In Brussels, he will also meet Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.

A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the visit would allow both sides to "take stock of the experience in growing China-EU relations over the past 50 years, enhance understanding and mutual trust, continue to see the EU as a partner, build consensus for cooperation, and properly handle disagreements and differences."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the discussions will cover "China-EU relations and major international and regional issues."

 

Trade tensions and concerns

Despite efforts to emphasize cooperation, trade remains a point of friction. The EU imposed additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year over alleged unfair subsidies. In response, China launched anti-dumping investigations into EU brandy and pork exports, with final decisions postponed until the end of this year.

Most recently, the EU excluded Chinese companies from participating in government procurement of medical devices worth over $5.8 billion, further straining bilateral trade ties.

Another flashpoint is China's export controls on rare earth magnets - key materials for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and AI. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the restrictions were imposed due to the "dual-use nature" of certain rare earth materials. While Beijing has pledged to speed up export licence approvals, EU businesses remain concerned.

EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo raised the issue directly with Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing last week, warning that the magnet shortage is affecting European companies "very, very badly." He urged China to resolve the issue before the upcoming China-EU Summit.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to visit China for the China-EU Summit in July. /Markus Schreiber/AP
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to visit China for the China-EU Summit in July. /Markus Schreiber/AP

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to visit China for the China-EU Summit in July. /Markus Schreiber/AP

Marking 50 years of diplomatic ties

Amid rising challenges, both sides continue to stress the importance of the relationship. On May 6, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

China described the relationship as a "comprehensive strategic partnership" and underscored the role of both sides as "major forces for building a multi-polar world."

The EU, in turn, reaffirmed its willingness to work with China to tackle shared global challenges.

However, speaking at the G7 Summit in Canada in mid-June, Von der Leyen warned of a "new China shock," citing concerns over subsidized overcapacity and China's grip on critical minerals. She also reiterated the EU's stance of "de-risking, not decoupling" from China and called for tighter export controls on advanced microchips.

 

Looking ahead

The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of Wang Yi's arrival that the EU needs a "dose of realism" in its approach to China.

Von der Leyen and Costa are expected to visit China for the China-EU Summit in late July, as confirmed by the EU ambassador to China - though Beijing has not confirmed the specific date for the high-level meeting.

Wang Yi's visit comes as the United States continues to impose tariffs globally, adding further weight to China's push for closer cooperation with European partners amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

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