Xi Jinping Asserts Europe's Independence in Meeting with EU Leaders in Beijing

European Union leaders felt that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang took their concerns seriously during a summit in Beijing, signaling a potential improvement in EU-China relations. While the two sides remain far apart on core issues such as trade and Russia, Xi assured EU leaders that China sees Europe as a "pole" in its own right and not a "vassal" of anyone. The EU raised concerns about the lopsided trading relationship, overcapacity in the Chinese economy, circumvention of sanctions on Russia, and re-engagement in Ukraine-backed talks. Although no major breakthroughs were achieved, there is a sense that Beijing wants to avoid a full-blown trade war with the EU. Technical groups will be established to discuss specific issues, but suspicions remain about Beijing's intentions.