European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sharply criticized China's industrial policy, export restrictions and its support for Russia's war against Ukraine. This happened during a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, News.bg reports.
“Our relations with China must be based on a clear assessment of the new reality“, von der Leyen stressed, referring to the upcoming EU-China summit scheduled for July 24 in Beijing. She expressed serious concerns about the so-called “borderless partnership“ between Beijing and Moscow, saying: “China is de facto supporting Russia's military economy and we cannot accept this.“
On economic At the same time, she said, relations between Europe and China require "rebalancing, risk reduction and a diplomatic boost", especially in the areas of climate and sustainable development.
Von der Leyen acknowledged China's historical weight, calling it a "great civilization and world power", but quickly moved to criticism. She accused the country of acting outside international rules and flooding global markets with "subsidized overcapacity" - not only to the benefit of its own industry, but also to stifle international competition.
She stressed that China has the "largest trade surplus in human history", while European companies face serious obstacles to accessing the Chinese market. These include requirements for local staff, internal research and development and storing IT data in the country, according to a study by the European Chamber of Commerce in China.
“Europe is "committed to results-oriented cooperation with China," von der Leyen stressed, but insisted that this partnership must undergo a "genuine rebalancing" based on equality and transparency.
Despite criticism, the European Union intends to adopt some successful elements of Chinese industrial policy, including technology transfer mechanisms and preferential treatment in public procurement. New state aid rules allow EU countries to set European criteria in tenders and promote strategic industries such as batteries.
The "Automotive Action Plan" is examining the possibility of directly supporting European manufacturers, including through public financing of joint ventures with foreign companies that provide technology and know-how.
The upcoming EU-China summit on 24 July will mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The second day of the meeting is canceled, and instead of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese delegation will be led by Premier Li Keqiang.