EU-China Summit: Strained ties, strategic realignments, and a waning Western grip

Department of Research, Studies and International News 25/07/2025

Beijing recently hosted the 25th EU-China summit, a symbolic event marking half a century of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. While the occasion might suggest celebration, the actual tone was anything but. The summit, cut from two days to one by Chinese authorities for internal reasons, unfolded amid rising global instability, trade frictions, and diverging

geopolitical priorities. Although China extended its customary hospitality, the air between Beijing and Brussels was thick with unresolved disputes. The summit brought together European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council

President Antonio Costa, President Xi Jinping, and Premier Li Qiang. While the official agenda was broad, the atmosphere underscored the fractures in a relationship shaped more by rivalry than cooperation.

 China’s strategic resilience vs. Europe’s divided diplomacy European officials

continue to adopt an increasingly confrontational tone toward China, echoing Washington’s rhetoric. However, China remains steadfast in defending its interests and continues to nurture its alliance with Russia. Beijing has repeatedly emphasized that its position on Ukraine is rooted in peaceful negotiation and dialogue. In contrast, Brussels, under American  influence, persists in linking China's diplomatic and economic policies to the conflict.

Statements from EU officials suggest an inability to accept China’s sovereign right to maintain and develop a close strategic partnership with Moscow. In early July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made it clear that Beijing sees a Russian defeat as detrimental, potentially redirecting U.S. aggression toward China itself, a valid concern given Washington's containment strategies in the Asia-Pacific.

Despite Western pressure, Beijing has not budged. It firmly rejected accusations of fueling Russia’s defense capabilities, even as Brussels imposed sanctions on several Chinese banks and firms. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rebuffed these moves, affirming that its cooperation with Russia is non- negotiable and based on mutual respect and strategic balance.