Beijing sees EU as Washington’s hostage

The Chinese leadership and state media are keeping a conspicuous verbal low profile ahead of the talks between Head of State Xi and his European visitors Macron and von der Leyen. They are downright eager to show understanding for the Europeans – surprising after the EU Commission Chief’s critical keynote speech. Commentators and social media, meanwhile, are ranting about the guests.

Last week in Beijing, people listened carefully when Ursula von der Leyen gave her keynote speech on China. The head of the EU Commission called for a readjustment of relations. But despite von der Leyen’s clear wording, she and French President Emmanuel Macron will likely be spared Chinese criticism during their joint trip to China. Beijing has something else in mind: It wants to prevent what it sees as a further drift of the EU toward the United States.

Sign up now and continue reading immediately