EU High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell met with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, in the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane, Laos on 26 July.

They discussed EU-China relations. The HR/VP said that the EU and China needs to acknowledge their respective concerns.

Those are first of all China’s support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which impacts negatively EU-China relations.

The HR/VP explained why the European Union considers Russia’s war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. He expressed his concern because China’s exports of large amounts of dual-use goods and items represent a support to Russia to build up its military equipment.

The HR/VP asked China to use its influence on Russia to contribute to end the war. He asked China to support the Ukraine peace process and considered that the joint statement with Brazil of May 2024 does not go in that direction.

The second EU concern on EU relations with China is the impact of economic policies and production subsidies, which cause distortions on the EU’s market. China should also address the root causes of our unbalanced trade relationship by rebalancing its economy. 

On Taiwan, the High Representative reiterated that the EU’s position has not changed. The EU has a “One China” policy, recognising the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. We pursue close cooperation with Taiwan in a wide range of areas, without diplomatic recognition.

On the Middle East, the HR/VP asked about the outcome of the meeting of several Palestinian factions held in Beijing last week. The High Representative considers that the division among Palestinian factions has caused damage to the Palestinian people, supported efforts in order to overcome these divisions. The HR/VP stressed that the EU is united in its support to the two-state solution.