The disputes concern alleged Chinese restrictions on EU companies' rights to use foreign courts to protect their high-tech patents and on trade with EU member Lithuania

"We cannot give authoritarian regimes any chance to exploit our vulnerabilities and undermine us," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said

The statement came after Washington "strongly suggested" that China's Cosco should not get a controlling stake in a contested deal over a terminal at the port in Hamburg

Beijing and the EU hold economic, trade talks amid tension over issues including the war in Ukraine, Xinjiang and an as yet unratified investment deal

Closer ties with the EU ``would be very helpful for our companies for their attention towards and knowledge of Europe," said Taiwan Deputy Economy Minister Chen Chern-chyi.

Silk-FAW, based in Jilin province, plans to develop and produce high-performance electric cars in China and Italy