European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently delivered a speech in Brussels outlining her vision for the future of EU-China relations. With tensions between the

EU and Beijing having significantly worsened over the last few years, particularly regarding issues such as Taiwan and China's treatment of the Uyghurs, von der Leyen acknowledged that relations have become "more distant and more difficult." However, she argued that it is "neither viable nor in Europe's interest to de-couple from China." Instead, she suggested that Europe should "de-risk" its relationship with China.

Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of the relationship between Europe and China, stating that it is "far too important to be put at risk." She also noted the concern over Beijing's refusal to condemn Russia's war in Ukraine and its close ties to Moscow. Von der Leyen highlighted that how China continues to interact with Putin's war will be a determining factor for EU-China relations going forward.

The difference in approaches to China between the US and the EU was also brought up in von der Leyen's speech. While the Biden administration has been trying to persuade the EU to work together to confront China, von der Leyen stressed that the EU does not want to cut economic, societal, political, and scientific ties. Rather, the focus should be on ensuring trade and investment relations that promote prosperity in China and in the EU.

To this end, the European Commission will present ideas later this year on measures that could control outbound investment to prevent certain sensitive technologies from going to China. According to von der Leyen, this would relate to a small number of sensitive technologies where investment can lead to the development of military capabilities that pose risks to national security.

French President Emmanuel Macron also recently announced that von der Leyen would accompany him on an upcoming visit to China. Macron stated that he had asked von der Leyen to come with him for part of the trip to present a "united voice" to China. It will be von der Leyen's first visit to Beijing as Commission president.

In conclusion, while acknowledging that EU-China relations have become more difficult in recent years, von der Leyen stressed the importance of the relationship and suggested that Europe should "de-risk" its relationship with China rather than de-coupling. By focusing on trade and investment relations that promote prosperity in both China and the EU, the relationship can be maintained and strengthened going forward. Photo by European Parliament from EU, Wikimedia commons.