The fact that eyes are on China also has to do with Xi reclaiming the leading role on the world stage. ‘During his visit to Moscow, he said he sees a role for himself as an international mediator. So tickets to Beijing were quickly booked up,’ says Europe reporter Stefan de Vries. “It’s a diplomatic chess game, really. In this way, the Spanish Prime Minister will recognize China’s international role and make it clear that the country can play a decisive role in ending the war in Ukraine.
Bad relations with the United States
The content of von der Leyen and Macron’s mission will become clear in China on Thursday. “It is difficult to put pressure on Xi. He is quite phlegmatic and doesn’t seem impressed’, says De Vries, even though he says that ‘China needs Europe too’. ‘Even in light of worsening relations with the United States and China. Then it’s good to have Europe on your side. There are all reasons behind these visits and conversations.’
“We are still too dependent on the Chinese”
However, Europe must seek rapprochement with China, believes the European journalist. “We cannot bypass China. Not only because of the war in Ukraine, but also because of the economy. We are still too dependent on the Chinese. Europe has the ambition to reduce and limit this dependence.’ By this, De Vries is mainly referring to the raw materials that China exports. ‘Like lithium for electric car batteries.’
However, China is not waiting for Europe to become independent. “This is another threat to China because it hurts its economy. This is why Beijing also wants to have good relations with the EU. This will also play a role in the talks in the coming days,’ says De Vries.