China’s top diplomat Wang Yi arrived in Europe on June 30 for a seven-day visit to Brussels, Germany, and France, aiming to position China-EU relations as an "anchor of stability" in a "volatile world." The trip coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and precedes a critical EU-China summit in July. Beijing seeks to counter U.S. "unilateralism and protectionism," explicitly criticizing Trump administration policies. Despite a record $357.1 billion trade deficit favoring China and disputes over Ukraine, both sides emphasize dialogue to navigate "complex global challenges".
Wang’s itinerary includes Brussels, where he will be meeting EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for the 13th China-EU High Level Strategic Dialogue and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The next stop for him is Germany where the 8th China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will be held, which is Yi's first engagement with Berlin’s new conservative government. He will also stop in France where talks with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will be held and a China-France cultural exchange mechanism will be worked out.
The visit navigates escalating trade conflicts including the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles prompted retaliatory duties on French cognac, though a tentative cognac agreement awaits Beijing’s formal approval. The EU also recently banned Chinese firms from medical device contracts exceeding €5 million, citing market-access imbalances, a move China called "double standards". Rare earth exports remain contentious. Since April, China has required licenses for these critical minerals (vital for EVs and medical tech), controlling 92% of global refined output. Beijing proposed a "green channel" to expedite EU-bound shipments, linking it to broader trade negotiations.
European leaders will press Wang on China’s Russia ties, which they argue provide Moscow "crucial economic and diplomatic support." While China claims neutrality, EU officials urge Beijing to leverage its influence to end the war. Analysts note Wang aims to bolster Europe’s "strategic autonomy" from the U.S., framing China-EU cooperation as essential for "multilateralism and free trade".
The visit tests whether both sides can "shelve differences" amid friction. Trade and Ukraine remain hurdles, but shared interests in climate action and economic stability offer common ground. As Professor Jiang Feng (Shanghai International Studies University) noted, China-EU collaboration reflects a "commitment to global responsibilities", vital now as U.S. policies disrupt global norms.