Chinese FM launches European tour to reinforce trade, political cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to embark on a diplomatic tour of Europe next week, signaling Beijing’s strategic effort to bolster ties with key trading partners amid escalating tariff pressures from the United States.

Wang’s itinerary, running from June 30 through July 6, will include visits to Brussels, Germany, and France, where he is expected to meet with senior officials, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced during a regular briefing in Beijing, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

While Guo did not explicitly reference the United States, he underscored the prevailing challenges in the global economic landscape, stating that “unilateralism, protectionism and bullying are rampant,” and emphasizing the necessity for China and Europe to “maintain multilateralism and free trade.” He further noted that Wang would “make political preparations” for upcoming exchanges between China and the European Union, without providing additional details.

An EU-China summit is anticipated in the latter half of July, adding urgency to Wang’s diplomatic engagements.

Despite recent confirmation of a trade framework with the United States, Sino-American relations remain fraught due to ongoing disputes over technology restrictions, Taiwan, and the flow of fentanyl.

In response to these tensions, President Xi Jinping has directed efforts to strengthen relations with other global partners. In May, Xi urged European Union leaders to resist unilateralism and advocate for inclusive economic globalization. On the same day, Beijing lifted sanctions imposed in 2021 against five European lawmakers—a move widely viewed as a symbolic gesture to ease diplomatic friction and revive mutual exchanges.

Earlier in April, during a tour of Southeast Asia, Xi called for solidarity within the “Asian family,” aiming to dissuade regional countries from pursuing trade agreements with the United States that could undermine China’s economic interests.

By Vafa Guliyeva