China calls for 'dynamic equilibrium' in trade after EU summit

China says it addressed EU concerns over trade imbalances, climate and Ukraine during the China-EU Summit in Beijing, insisting its new energy exports are a “contribution” to the global green transition, not a sign of “overcapacity”.

China has described the 25th China-EU Summit held in Beijing on 24 July as a milestone in deepening bilateral ties, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took part in what Chinese officials called “long, in-depth and candid” discussions.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters the summit yielded “important common understandings” across multiple areas, including economic partnership, strategic trust, and international cooperation.

Guo said China stressed mutual respect and open cooperation as guiding principles for future ties, with President Xi proposing deeper dialogue, fair handling of trade frictions, and support for multilateralism. “We should uphold mutual respect, consolidate partnership... and jointly safeguard international rules and order,” Xi said during the summit, according to Guo.

Premier Li Qiang added that shared commitment to free trade and multilateralism would help strengthen the global economy and promote a multipolar world.

On trade, China said it offered “comprehensive and detailed” responses to EU concerns, including on industrial subsidies and alleged overcapacity in sectors such as electric vehicles. “China’s new energy capacity is advanced capacity that can bridge the world’s ‘green gap’. It is contribution, not ‘excess’,” Guo said.

The EU has previously raised concerns about unfair subsidies and limited market access for European firms. In response, China expressed readiness to import more high-quality European products and called on Brussels to ease restrictions on high-tech exports.

The summit also produced a joint statement on climate change, highlighting shared goals ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Belém. The statement reaffirmed the importance of the China-EU green partnership and included plans to upgrade their export control dialogue to ensure stable supply chains.

On Ukraine, China reaffirmed its position of neutrality and promotion of dialogue. Guo emphasised that the conflict “is not and should not become an issue between China and the EU.” China also objected to EU sanctions on Chinese companies over alleged Russia ties.

Despite existing frictions, Guo described the summit as “positive and constructive”, adding that both sides agreed to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation.

“We hope the EU will work with China in the same direction to jointly usher in an even brighter future,” Guo said.

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