A senior delegation from the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee will visit China this week for talks aimed at addressing rising geopolitical tensions, economic
disputes and areas of cooperation between the EU and Beijing.
The eight-member delegation, led by committee chairman David McAllister, will travel to Beijing and Shanghai from 21 to 23 July for high-level meetings with Chinese officials.
The visit comes as relations between the European Union and China face increasing pressure over trade imbalances, security concerns and disagreements on issues including Russia’s war in Ukraine and human rights.
During the meetings, MEPs are expected to discuss the future of EU-China relations, including China’s growing economic influence, the impact of global trade tensions and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The delegation will also raise concerns about the human rights situation in China, while exploring areas where the two sides can work together, including climate diplomacy, international health cooperation and support for multilateral institutions.
The European lawmakers are scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, representatives of the National People’s Congress and its foreign affairs committee, as well as officials from the International Department of the Communist Party of China.
The delegation will also hold discussions with EU diplomats based in Beijing and researchers at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
In Shanghai, MEPs will meet local government officials and representatives of technology companies to discuss the future of EU-China technology relations, including competition, digital sovereignty and global rules for artificial intelligence.
The delegation is headed by McAllister and includes:
Engin Eroglu, chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with China
Nicolás Pascual de la Parte
Javi López
Lucia Annunziata
Jaroslav Bžoch
Adam Bielan
Hilde Vautmans, the committee’s standing rapporteur on China
The trip is among the most significant foreign policy missions undertaken by the Foreign Affairs Committee during the current parliamentary term.
It follows a visit to China by the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee in March 2026. MEPs also travelled to the country in May for the 43rd EU-China Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, while the Parliament’s International Trade Committee is expected to conduct its own visit later this year.
The European Parliament said the latest mission reflects the importance of maintaining dialogue with Beijing while addressing areas of strategic concern for the EU.