China-EU summit: economic negotiations resume despite diplomatic tensions

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the virtual summit between the EU and China on June 22, 2020. REUTERS / Yves Herman / Pool

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At the summit between China and the European Union (EU), EU leaders, German Chancellor and Chinese President Xi Jinping will attempt by videoconference on Monday, September 14 to advance negotiations for an investment agreement , against a backdrop of tensions around Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang.

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Covid-19

requires, the extraordinary summit between the European Union (EU) and China scheduled for Leipzig in Germany had to be canceled.

It is therefore by videoconference on Monday, September 14 that European leaders will have the opportunity to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The objective of this meeting is primarily commercial.

The participants want to advance the agreement on investments,

.

But other more delicate issues, such as human rights, risk being invited to the talks.

On

side

the discussions will be chaired by Charles Michel, head of the European Council, Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country currently holds the presidency.

" 

But the negotiations will especially take place in the midst of tensions between the two powers.

" 

", is how the head of European diplomacy Josep Borell describes the relationship between Brussels and Beijing.

Because the 27 are disillusioned.

So many promises have not been kept like the one on the Chinese market which is still not open.

In addition, China continues to give massive subsidies to its companies.

The summit of June 22 had already been marked by a clear cooling.

Especially since the president of the Commission Ursula Von der Leyen had dared to criticize the

which restricts the freedoms of Hong Kong people.

Worse yet, she had denounced the cyber attacks against European hospitals during the pandemic.

It is therefore no coincidence that the two emissaries from Beijing, Wang Yi and Yang Jieche, bypassed Brussels

, believing the national capitals to be more docile.

Error on their part, at every step, they were questioned about Hong Kong and Xinjiang, where a million Muslims languish in recovery camps.

In addition to economic issues, Xi Jinping should expect to be questioned by the EU on the situation in Hong Kong, the question of Taiwan or

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