China and the European Union have made a joint call for action on climate change during a tense bilateral summit in Beijing plagued by bitter disagreements over trade and the conflict in Ukraine.
The two economic giants issued a joint statement calling for further emissions reductions and greater use of green technologies, as well as reaffirming their commitment to the Paris climate agreement and calling for bold action at the upcoming Cop30 climate summit in Brazil.
“In the current volatile and turbulent international situation, it is of utmost importance that all countries, especially the largest economies, maintain continuity and stability in their policies and step up their efforts to combat climate change,” the joint statement said.
The climate deal offered a ray of hope on a turbulent day when European leaders met with President Xi Jinping and called for a more balanced relationship with Beijing.
In their opening speeches, they stressed the importance of trade, calling for concrete results in addressing Europe's problematic trade deficit with China.
“As our cooperation deepened, so did the imbalances,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We have reached a critical point. Restoring the balance in our bilateral relations is of the utmost importance. For the relationship to remain sustainable, it must be mutually beneficial.”
Expectations for the talks were low, with two days expected but then shortened to one. The talks are taking place against a backdrop of financial uncertainty around the world, conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the threat of tariffs from the United States. Neither the European Union nor China is likely to budge on key issues.
European Council President Antonio Costa has called on China to use its influence with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine, a long-standing call from European leaders that is likely to go unanswered once again.
Mr Xi Jinping has called for deeper cooperation between China and Europe to ensure stability in an increasingly complex world. He said both sides should set aside differences and seek common interests, a line he often uses in his EU-like relationship.
He said Beijing was ready to strengthen climate coordination and contribute more to addressing climate change, but he opposed EU restrictions on Chinese exports.
“We hope the EU will keep its trade and investment markets open, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade measures, and create a favorable business environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in Europe,” he was reported to have said on state broadcaster CCTV.
In addition to trade and the conflict in Ukraine, Ms von der Leyen and Mr Costa were expected to raise concerns about Chinese cyberattacks and espionage, restrictions on rare earth mineral exports and human rights conditions in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Meanwhile, the European Union is worried about a looming trade battle with the United States.
Beijing's stance toward the EU has hardened despite some positive steps, such as suspending sanctions against European lawmakers who criticized the human rights situation in Xinjiang province, where Beijing is accused of a widespread crackdown on Uighurs.
Like the US, the 27-nation EU bloc runs a significant trade deficit with China – around €300bn (£260bn) last year. The EU relies heavily on China for key minerals and the magnets they make for cars and household appliances.
The European Union has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to support its automakers and offset high subsidies from Beijing. China would like to see those tariffs lifted.
China's rapid growth in the European market has raised concerns that Chinese cars will eventually threaten the EU's ability to produce its own clean technology to combat climate change.
Business groups and trade unions
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
