China

European Union, China Pledge to Cooperate on Supply Chains

European Commission executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis arrives at a eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels in March. File photo: Reuters

China and the European Union have agreed to cooperate further on industrial and supply chains, trade and investment and finance and macroeconomics, officials said on Tuesday.

Beijing and the European Union held a high-level economic and trade dialogue amid tensions over a number of issues including the war in Ukraine, Xinjiang and an as yet unratified investment agreement.

Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice-president of the European Commission, said the EU and China “have a duty to address global challenges”, including those arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

He said agreements were also reached on sustainable finance and climate change mitigation.

The dialogue came as European Parliament vice-president Nicola Beer planned to visit Taiwan this week.

The Chinese foreign ministry condemned the visit.

“We urge the European Union side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, speak and act with prudence on issues related to Taiwan, and prevent any serious disruption in China-Europe relations,” the ministry said.

Reuters, with additional editing by George Russell

Taiwan Hints US-Like Relations with EU May Spur Chip Plants

China Aviation Sector Growth a Boon for Europe’s Airbus

European Union Firms Warn of China Exodus if Lockdowns Drag On

George Russell

George Russell is a freelance writer and editor based in Hong Kong who has lived in Asia since 1996. His work has been published in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, New York Post, Variety, Forbes and the South China Morning Post.