Xi Urges EU to Make “Correct Strategic Choices” as China-EU Summit Opens in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping listens to President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in presence of President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas during the opening remarks of the 25th European Union – China Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 24 July 2025. ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/Pool via REUTERS© Thomson Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the 25th European Union–China Summit in Beijing on Thursday with a pointed call for the EU to «make correct strategic choices,» amid rising tensions over trade, rare earth exports, and the war in Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.

Hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at the Great Hall of the People, Xi emphasised the need for enhanced communication and cooperation in what he described as a «severe and complex international environment.»

«The more complicated the global situation, the more China and the EU must build mutual trust and deepen cooperation,» Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. He added that leaders on both sides should act in line with the expectations of their people.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, listen to Chinese President, Xi Jinping (not pictured), during the opening remarks of the 25th European Union – China Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 24 July 2025. ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/Pool via REUTERS© Thomson Reuters

Expectations for the summit were modest after weeks of escalating disputes and a last-minute decision by Beijing to reduce the event to a single day. Trade imbalances, market access, and China’s rare earth export controls are at the top of the agenda, along with EU concerns over Chinese industrial overcapacity and support for electric vehicle production.

In the lead-up to the summit, von der Leyen signaled a more conciliatory tone, describing the meeting as a chance to «advance and rebalance» the EU-China relationship. «I’m convinced there can be mutually beneficial cooperation,» she posted on X.

China’s state news agency Xinhua echoed the sentiment, calling the EU a «critical partner» and warning that shared interests in trade, climate, and global governance should not be overshadowed by isolated tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi listen during the opening remarks of the 25th European Union – China Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 24 July 2025. ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/Pool via REUTERS © Thomson Reuters

Despite Beijing’s effort to downplay strategic rivalry, the EU continues to define China as a «partner, competitor, and systemic rival.» The bloc is expected to raise concerns over China’s recent export restrictions on rare earth materials, which disrupted European automotive production earlier this year.

While exports of rare earth magnets to the EU surged by 245% in June compared to May, they remained 35% below year-ago levels, customs data show.

The summit comes as the EU nears a trade agreement with the United States to impose a 15% tariff on certain exports, an outcome that sidesteps a harsher 30% rate previously threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump.