EU foreign policy chief in China for high-level talks

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived on Thursday in Shanghai for high-level talks with Chinese officials, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue with Beijing.

"An important visit to discuss EU-China relations, key regional and global challenges with government authorities, scholars and business representatives," Borrell wrote on X after landing in Shanghai.

He is on a three-day visit to China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The two sides will hold the 12th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

At the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, Borrell said he held "inspiring" discussions with scholars on multipolarity, EU-China, and China-US relations.

Besides, he met representatives of European companies to discuss economic and business challenges.

"We must address these challenges because neither we nor China can ignore each other's market," he said.

"My visit to China is also to listen to Chinese views. Our exchange shows that this discussion must continue," Borrell said.

In 2022, China was the EU's second-largest trading partner after the US.

According to Eurostat data, the trade volume last year between the EU and China reached €856.3 billion ($938 billion), accounting for about 15.3% of the EU's total trade for that year.