China ready to welcome EU High Representative after two 'misses'

After postponing his visit to China twice in April and July this year, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell is expected to arrive in Beijing on October 12.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. (Source: Reuters)

On October 11, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Beijing welcomed Mr. Josep Borrell - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - to visit China from October 12-14.

Mr. Uong Van Ban, spokesman of the above ministry, stated that this trip by EU officials "is beneficial to the healthy and stable development of relations and is considered good preparation for the next stage of negotiations."

“China is willing to work with the EU to enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation, and overcome the situation of mutual interference,” spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed.

In early July, European Commission (EC) spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said Beijing had informed her that it was unable to arrange Josep Borrell's visit, but did not disclose the specific reason.

According to experts, Beijing canceled the official's visit because the EU supported a strategy to reduce dependence on China for important components and technologies at the previous Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

However, the bloc has insisted it will not seek a “complete decoupling” from the world’s second-largest economy , even as it looks for new sources of vital raw materials elsewhere.

Previously, Mr. Borrell was forced to cancel his trip to Beijing in April 2023 due to Covid-19.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trung-quoc-san-sang-nghenh-don-dai-dien-cap-cao-eu-sau-hai-lan-bo-lo-245699.html