Top leaders from China and the European Union will hold a summit in Beijing as the major economic powers seek to smooth over disputes ranging from trade to the Ukraine conflict.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry confirmed that European Council president Antonio Costa and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit on Thursday.
The statement came after the EU said earlier that the pair would attend the EU-China summit in Beijing following the conclusion of separate meetings in Japan tomorrow.
Costa and von der Leyen will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom they will “discuss EU- China relations and current geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine”, the EU statement said.
With Chinese Premier Li Qiang, they will “cover in more detail the trade and economic aspects of the relationship”, according to the bloc.
The summit “is an opportunity to engage with China at the highest level and have frank, constructive discussions on issues that matter to both of us”, Costa said. — AFP
