The EU’s “multifaceted” approach to China remains valid for the time being, the EU foreign ministers decided at their meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 17 October: Beijing is a systemic partner, competitor and rival. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, insisted that China was becoming “a more and more tough competitor”.
The High Representative presented a report to ministers prepared by the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the state of relations with China, as the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party started on 16 October. The event is intended to enable Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure a third term as head of the country.
According to French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, the EEAS document “reflects the balance we want to have”, i.e. cooperating with China where possible, such as on climate change and biodiversity, but also being aware of the power position Beijing is adopting.
Member States reiterated their desire to reduce their dependence on China and strengthen the EU’s resilience. This will require stronger links with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Beijing is also a matter of concern for the EU because of frequent human rights violations, whether in Taiwan, Hong Kong or the treatment of the Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang province.
Xi Jinping reaffirms the “independence” of his policy
Xi Jinping called on the party to unite behind him at the opening of the Chinese Communist Party Congress on 16 October. He said he rejected the “cold war mentality” in international relations as the EU and the US have been trying to isolate Russia for several months. “China resolutely pursues an independent and peaceful foreign policy”, he said.
His speech also reaffirmed the firmness of his position on the island of Taiwan, indicating that Beijing “will never renounce the use of force” to regain power in Taiwan. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal and Camille-Cerise Gessant)