EU mentality needs ‘rebalancing’: China takes swipe at bloc

ISTANBUL

China said Wednesday that what needs "rebalancing" is the EU's mentality as it took a swipe at the bloc for remarks Tuesday by its commission chief.

"What needs 'rebalancing' is not China-EU trade, but the EU's mentality," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a news conference in Beijing, according to a video on X on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's “overcapacity” remarks.

"In today's volatile world, we hope the EU will work with China, and together seek mutual benefit, properly settle differences, and pursue the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-EU ties," said Mao.

"The EU should not apply double standards" in subsidies, Mao said, citing the EU's plan to "provide €1.44 trillion in subsidies from 2021 to 2030," and "over €300 billion distributed by 2024."

Von der Leyen said Tuesday that “if our partnership is to move forward, we need a genuine rebalancing, fewer market distortions, less overcapacity exported from China and fair, reciprocal access for European business in China."

Chinese-Russian ties 'do not target' any third party, says China

Mao said China's ties with Russia "do not target" any third party, and relations between Beijing and Moscow should not be interrupted.

“The normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party and should not be interfered with by any third party,” Mao said during a live-streamed news conference.

Von der Leyen had also put forward three demands to China, including restricting cooperation with Russia.

Addressing the EU Parliament on Tuesday, von der Leyen said the bloc "cannot accept" the fact that China is "de facto enabling Russia's war economy" and warned that its interaction in the conflict will be a "determining factor" for EU-China relations going forward.

The exchange of comments between Brussels and Beijing comes ahead of the EU-China leaders' summit scheduled for later this month.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.