High stakes, low expectations as EU and China prepare for summit in Beijing

Hopes of a reset in relations rose in the first quarter but came back to Earth with controls on critical minerals

China-EU relations

China Diplomacy

China slams EU banking sanctions as tensions rise ahead of key summit

Chinese firms in Europe call for ‘substantive’ deal at China-EU summit

European Union sanctions 2 Chinese banks over aid to Russia

Discover MORE stories on

China-EU relations

now and stay updated with

Editorial | EU and China should seize chance to put troubled ties back on track

Sanctioned German China expert visits Beijing in sign of easing restrictions

Can China get the US out of the way of better ties with Europe?

Russia

Zelensky reins in Ukraine anti-corruption agencies, sparking first wartime protests

Russian troops returned by Ukraine for medical care ahead of talks

Chinese and EU leaders will meet in Beijing this week but hopes are not high for progress. Photo: Reuters

Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
Published: 2:00pm, 23 Jul 2025Updated: 5:23pm, 23 Jul 2025

The return of Donald Trump was supposed to bring Europe and China together. Yet, EU leaders will touch down in Beijing late on Wednesday for a summit with the lowest expectations in recent memory.

The murmurs of a détente that grew in the first quarter have given way to fresh tensions, with the problems between the two sides multiplying and widening to a surprising degree before Thursday’s showdown in the Chinese capital.

Diplomacy

US Treasury chief says trade talks with China to continue next week in Sweden

Scott Bessent says talks will take place Monday and Tuesday in Stockholm to work on a likely extension of tariffs pause.

1 hour ago

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he would be holding trade negotiations with Chinese officials in Stockholm, Sweden next week. Photo: JIJI Press via AFP

Politics

Japan’s prime minister denies resignation reports after electoral drubbing

Shigeru Ishiba claims media reports of his impending resignation are ‘completely unfounded’, amid suggestions he will quit next month.

49 minutes ago videocam

Politics

Will more US missiles in Philippines deter or provoke South China Sea conflict?

With the placement of missile and drone systems, analysts debate if the Philippines will become a forward-operating platform or a flashpoint.

2 hours ago videocam

A US Marine Air Defence Integrated System fires at a drone during a joint Philippines-US military exercise in San Antonio, Zambales province, northern Philippines, on April 27. Photo: AP

East Asia

Trump closes ‘massive’ Japan trade deal, hails friendship with ally

The US president says Tokyo has agreed to a 15 per cent tariff on Japanese goods and invest US$550 billion in America.

2 hours ago

Tech War

US falling behind China in AI energy race, Anthropic says

The Silicon Valley start-up says it is ‘concerning’ that the US added only one-tenth of the power capacity that China added last year.

3 hours ago

Power lines in Mountain View, California. Photo: Reuters

EVs

Tesla bid to regain China market share, BYD’s high Hong Kong sales: 7 EV reads

From driverless taxis in China to Beijing’s restrictions on eight key battery technologies, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

3 hours ago

Big Tech

Alibaba’s Taobao sees 60% user surge in Thailand after local launch

Taobao’s intensified focus on Thailand marks its latest effort to grow its presence across Asia.

1 hour ago

SCMP Plus is a new premium news platform that gives you an all-inclusive edge to stay ahead on China news. To access our exclusive content you’ll need to subscribe.

TRY FOR FREE

Highlights from SCMP Plus

FactSheet