China a critical partner to Europe, Xinhua says hours before leaders meet
FILE PHOTO: A staff member prepares for the arrival of Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and EU Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera during China-EU Sixth High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue (HECD) at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on July 14, 2025. Wang Zhao/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
BEIJING - China is a "critical partner" to Europe with a range of shared interests, state news agency Xinhua said in a commentary piece, downplaying Beijing's rivalry with the European Union bloc hours before a key summit between leaders of both sides on Thursday.
"As the international landscape grows increasingly fraught, the anniversary offers a timely reminder: China is a critical partner to Europe, not a systemic rival," Xinhua wrote, underscoring the conciliatory tone China appeared to be willing to take during the summit if the EU corresponded.
Xinhua said the distinction between partner and rival mattered, pointing out common interests including trade, climate, and global governance.
"These areas of common ground should not be eclipsed by isolated points of friction," it said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are in Beijing for high-level meetings with China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
The summit, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, will be dominated by trade tensions over electric vehicles, market access and Chinese industrial overcapacity.
Expectations for the summit are low after weeks of escalating tensions over tit-for-tat trade disputes, hawkish rhetoric from EU leaders and wrangling over the format of the summit, which was abruptly shortened from two days to one at Beijing's request.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports
Opinion The US dollar is down, but it has a lot going for it
Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes
Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu
Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt
Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers
Opinion Cinemas struggle in a world that cannot sit still
Asia Japan PM Ishiba refutes reports of imminent resignation after surprise US trade deal
"Like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation," Xinhua said, adding that the relationship needs more trust. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pope Leo discusses war in Ukraine with Russian Orthodox Church official
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Pope Leo interacts with Metropolitan Antonij of Volokolamsk, at the Vatican July 26, 2025. Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo discussed the war in Ukraine on Saturday with Metropolitan Anthony, a senior cleric in the Russian Orthodox Church, in a possible effort to ease ties between the churches strained by Russia's invasion. Leo saw Anthony, chairman of the department of external church relations, and five other high-profile clerics during an audience in the morning, the Vatican said. "During the conversation, numerous issues were raised concerning the state of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, as well as the ongoing conflicts in the world, including in Ukraine and the Middle East," the Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement. Since assuming the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed for peace in global conflicts and this month told visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the Vatican was willing to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Russian officials, however, have said they do not view the Vatican as a serious venue for talks because it is surrounded by NATO member Italy which has supported Ukraine. The head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has been an enthusiastic backer of the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian church statement said that Kirill's congratulations were conveyed to Leo for his election as pope. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar "Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to his holiness patriarch Kirill for his good wishes and noted the importance of developing relations with the Russian Orthodox Church," it added. REUTERS
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
KKR in talks to buy ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Bloomberg News reports
KKR is in talks to buy ST Telemedia Global Data Centres in a deal that could value the Asian digital infrastructure provider at more than $5 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
54 children swim from Morocco to Spanish enclave of Ceuta in rough seas, fog
Find out what's new on ST website and app. MADRID - At least 54 children and about 30 adults swam from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in rough seas and fog, Spanish television reported on July 26. Video footage on Spanish television channel RTVE showed Civil Guard launches making repeated rescue attempts to bring some of the swimmers to safety, while others swam across to the enclave. The children, who were mostly Moroccan, were taken to temporary centres in Ceuta, where authorities called for help from the central government in dealing with the latest arrivals. 'Don't leave us alone. This is a matter of state. This has to be resolved,' Mr Juan Rivas, of the Ceuta regional government, told reporters on July 26. On Aug 26, 2024, hundreds of migrants took advantage of a thick mist to swim to Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, local police said. In 2021, one boy was seen floating on empty plastic bottles in his attempt to reach Ceuta. Spain's two enclaves on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the European Union's only land borders with Africa. The enclaves sporadically experience waves of attempted crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe. A view shows migrants swimming towards the shore on Moroccan side of border, as at least 54 children and about 30 adults swam from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, in Ceuta, Spain July 26, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a video. FARO TV/Handout via REUTERS via REUTERS Moroccan nationals detained during the crossings are immediately sent back to Morocco unless they are underage or seeking asylum. People from other nationalities are taken to special centres where they are given shelter and released after a few days. Three years ago, at least 23 people died in a stampede when about 2,000 migrants tried to storm into Melilla, pushing down the border fence. REUTERS
