China, EU should not ‘seek confrontation': FM Wang
Meeting Kaja Kallas in Brussels on Wednesday, Wang Yi said China and the European Union 'should not be regarded as opponents because of differences, nor should they seek confrontation because of disagreements', according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
Europe is 'facing various challenges', Wang said, but stressed that none were caused by China 'in the past, present or future'.
Ahead of their meeting, Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief, said China was 'not our adversary, but on security our relationship is under increasing strain'.
She said Chinese firms were 'Moscow's lifeline to sustain its war against Ukraine' and accused Beijing of carrying out cyberattacks, democratic interference and unfair trade practices that 'harm European security and jobs'.
China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia's more than three-year war with Ukraine. But Western governments say Beijing has given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support.
'Enabling war in Europe while seeking closer ties with Europe is a contradiction Beijing must address,' Kallas added on Wednesday.
Wang, meanwhile, sought to cast Beijing as a steady counterweight against superpower rival Washington, which has threatened to slap sweeping tariffs on imports from European nations.
'The path taken by the United States should not be used as a reflection of China,' he said. 'China is not the United States.'
Beijing's foreign ministry also said the two sides had discussed Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Iran nuclear issue.
Beijing and Brussels should treat one another with 'respect', Wang said, adding that Europe should pursue a more 'active and pragmatic' China policy.
The Chinese diplomat also met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prevot on Wednesday.
China and the EU should 'uphold multilateralism and free trade... and work together to address global challenges such as climate change', Wang told von der Leyen.
Wang will next travel to Germany, where he will hold talks with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on diplomacy and security.
And in France, Wang will meet minister for Europe and foreign affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, who visited China in March.
The visits come about three weeks ahead of a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and the EU's top officials in Beijing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
EU chief says Brussels ‘ready' for US trade deal ahead of talks
AARHUS: The EU is 'ready for a deal' with the United States, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday before negotiators meet in Washington before a July 9 deadline. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is in Washington and due to meet his US counterparts later Thursday. The commission, leading trade policy for the 27-nation bloc, has until Wednesday next week to strike an agreement or see President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs snap back. If no deal is reached, the default tariff on EU imports is expected to double to 20 percent or even higher -- Trump having at one point threatened 50 percent. 'We are aiming at the ninth of July,' von der Leyen told reporters in Aarhus, Denmark. 'It's a huge task because we have the largest trade volume globally between the European Union and the United States,' worth 1.5 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion). 'What we are aiming at is an agreement in principle,' she added. The size of trade between the two transatlantic allies meant an agreement in detail was 'impossible' to conclude in the 90-day window ending next week, she added. Von der Leyen's comments came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated his call for a 'quick and simple' EU deal with Washington -- a matter of necessity for key industries from pharmaceuticals to engineering and automobiles. The EU chief also made it clear that Brussels would not hold back from taking countermeasures to protect the European economy if talks fell short. 'We want a negotiated solution, but you all know that at the same time, we're preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached,' she said. 'This is why we consulted on a rebalancing list, and we will defend the European interest as needed,' she added. 'In other words, all the interim instruments are on the table.' The EU has prepared counter-tariffs on US goods worth around 100 billion euros if talks yield no positive outcome. – AFP
The Sun
42 minutes ago
- The Sun
US trade deficit widens in May as Trump tariffs fuel uncertainty
WASHINGTON: The US trade deficit widened more than expected in May, government data showed Thursday, with both imports and exports declining as US President Donald Trump's tariffs sent shock waves through the economy and snagged supply chains. The world's biggest economy logged an overall trade gap of $71.5 billion, in the month after Trump imposed a 10 percent duty on most trading partners before pausing steeper rates for dozens of these economies. This was an expansion from the $60.3 billion deficit in April, according to Commerce Department data. The figures, however, came as both imports and exports shrank in May. US imports were down 0.1 percent to $350.5 billion, as incoming shipments of goods ticked down. Imports of consumer goods dropped by $4.0 billion, with those of apparel and toys both sliding, although imports of autos and parts climbed. US exports, meanwhile, dropped by 4.0 percent to $279.0 billion, with declines largely seen in industrial supplies and materials, the report showed. While Trump pulled back on some of his harshest tariff measures in April, he doubled down on levies impacting goods from China. Tit-for-tat tariffs between Washington and Beijing surged to triple-digits around the time, a level described as a trade embargo as businesses halted shipments to wait for both governments to ease tensions. This could have dented imports of certain consumer goods before United States and Chinese officials eventually came to a pact in mid-May to temporarily lower these tariffs. – AFP
Borneo Post
42 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Media firms should cover journalists' AI tool costs, says S'wak deputy minister
Abdullah delivers his closing remarks at the event. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung KUCHING (July 3): Media companies may need to take responsibility for the cost of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and digital applications used by journalists in their daily work, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department acknowledged the growing financial burden media professionals face in keeping up with evolving digital requirements. 'Some reporters and journalists told me, 'I have to download this app – it costs me RM90 a month. Then I need another that costs RM300 per annum. I have to subscribe to this and that, and the company isn't covering it',' he said. 'Yes, these tools do help in their work, but employers must also understand that these extra expenses are necessary to enable digital assistance, whether AI or any otherwise.' He stressed that as technology advances rapidly, media companies must take into account these 'hidden costs' when discussing digital transformation. 'This is another consideration we must look at. Probably in future seminars, we can get researchers who have explored the actual costs involved, for both individuals and the government, in embracing digital advancements,' he said. Abdullah, who was SMeC 2025 organising chairman, noted that while AI is now part of everyday discourse, it must be approached with balance. 'We don't want to be left out, but neither should we be too quick in adopting new technologies. I used the term 'wholesale adoption' earlier, as one of the speakers mentioned, sometimes we shouldn't rush in adopting the latest advancements, especially when the fundamentals haven't been fully addressed.' He emphasised that the narrative of digital policy varies by country and government appetite. 'For example, the US is driven by commercial interests, the EU by standards, and China by security. In Sarawak, we must shape our own approach, one that aligns with our specific needs.' Abdullah also underscored the need for inclusive infrastructure, noting that many rural areas in Sarawak still lack basic connectivity. 'You don't have to talk about AI to me, my area doesn't even have internet. The tower is there, but it's not functioning,' he said, citing complaints from rural constituents. He acknowledged that while the Sarawak government has invested billions in digital infrastructure, more efforts are needed to close the digital divide. He also advocated for early education in AI, including governance and ethics, to prepare the next generation for a digital future. 'A teacher told me yesterday to pass the message to the Premier, that maybe we should start teaching children as early as primary school about the good and bad that AI can bring,' he shared. Abdullah also reminded that while AI may evolve to simulate intelligence and emotion, it cannot replicate the human qualities that matter most, such as empathy, feeling, and cultural understanding. 'In Malaysia, and especially in Sarawak, with our diversity in race, religion, and language, this is something AI will never understand,' he said. The SMeC 2025, which brought together journalists, academics, policymakers, and tech experts, focused on the intersection of innovation, governance, and the media industry's digital future. Abdullah Saidol AI tools cost journalists media company
