European and Chinese officials have held talks in Beijing focused on strengthening climate commitments, as both sides prepare revised targets ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil later this year.

European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing on 14 July to discuss climate cooperation and preparations for the upcoming United Nations COP30 summit.

Ribera emphasised the importance of global efforts to uphold the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for both the European Union and China to submit updated emissions targets for 2035. Ding stated that China would release its revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) before the COP30 meeting, scheduled for November in Brazil.

Both parties missed the February deadline set by the UN to submit these updated targets. According to Ribera, China’s new commitment is expected later in the autumn, while the EU plans to finalise its own 2035 goal by mid-September.

The discussions included a focus on aligning future targets with long-term carbon neutrality ambitions and addressing emissions across all sectors of the economy.

The meeting took place ahead of a planned EU–China summit marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, where climate policy is expected to be a central theme alongside broader economic and geopolitical issues.

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