European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit China from April 5th to 7th, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday. The visit comes on the heels of her remarks about the strained relations between the European Union (EU) and Beijing.
Von der Leyen will be accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron during her trip to China. Last week, she stated that Europe must "de-risk" its diplomatic and economic ties with China, as the country is exhibiting increasing repression domestically and growing assertiveness internationally.
Despite the recent clashes between the EU and China over various issues, such as Beijing's close relationship with Russia and alleged human rights violations, China remains one of the EU's largest trade partners.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, emphasized the need for both China and the EU to "uphold the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, overcome disruptions and difficulties, and focus on consensus and cooperation."
Mao added that China is prepared to collaborate with the EU during this visit, using the opportunity to further explore the potential to address global challenges and bring more stability and positive energy to a world facing uncertainties.
Before embarking on their journey to China, von der Leyen and Macron will meet for a working lunch on Monday. They will discuss various topics, including Russia's war in Ukraine, the energy sector, and preparations for their upcoming trip to China, where they will hold a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
