【By Observer Net, Yuan Jiaqi】

On September 24 local time, Chinese and European leaders met in New York, USA. The Hong Kong South China Morning Post reported on the 25th that despite trade and geopolitical tensions casting a shadow over Sino-European bilateral relations, both sides still pledged to work together to address global challenges the day after US President Trump mocked climate change as a "green scam."

The report pointed out that in recent years, the EU's policy toward China under the leadership of the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, has become increasingly tough, but her tone in the statement was notably more moderate than before. She praised China's "spirit of mutual understanding" in cooperation to solve many issues of concern to the EU.

President of the European Commission von der Leyen IC Photo

After the meeting, von der Leyen posted a statement on social media X stating that the EU hopes to deepen cooperation with China in the fields of climate and biodiversity.

She explained that the core topics of this dialogue were the "productive Sino-European summit in July," and wrote, "We all agree that it is crucial to quickly turn promises into actions. The best way forward is to consolidate and deepen the good cooperation we have already established in the areas of climate and biodiversity."

Von der Leyen also expressed approval of China's measures in the climate field, saying, "I welcome China's willingness to contribute to achieving global climate goals, fulfill the commitments of the Paris Agreement, and deepen bilateral low-carbon development cooperation. I also welcome China's commitment to carbon pricing."

According to European media, this meeting also aimed to establish a working mechanism to implement the resolutions reached at the previous Sino-European summit and address climate issues.

Regarding trade issues, von der Leyen said she had conveyed the EU's concerns about export controls, market access, and so-called "overcapacity" to China, while adding, "I appreciate China's willingness to communicate with us in the spirit of mutual understanding."

Regarding the Ukraine issue, von der Leyen still called on China to help "stop the killing in Ukraine," but the Hong Kong media noticed that her wording was significantly milder than before.

The report stated that previously von der Leyen claimed that "the EU cannot accept China supporting Russia's war economy," but this time she used a more "reconciliatory" phrasing, "requesting" (request) China to use its influence over Russia to push Russia back to the negotiating table.

She added, "Now is the time for diplomatic efforts, which will send a strong signal to the world."

China has repeatedly stated that its position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear, and dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solutions to the Ukraine crisis.

The Brussels media "Eunews" interpreted von der Leyen's remarks as demonstrating a pragmatic strategy, "she clearly recognizes that China's geographical location and political and economic strength make it a key participant, possessing the ability to act and exert pressure that European countries do not have."

Von der Leyen later emphasized that she agreed with China's view that "both China and Europe have a common interest in maintaining world peace." "Eunews" believes that this again shows that even if the conflict continues, the EU still supports resolving issues through negotiations.

According to the South China Morning Post, during the United Nations General Assembly, China announced that "it will not seek new special and differential treatment in WTO negotiations." The EU also expressed appreciation for this decision.

The EU's trade spokesperson Olof Gill said on Wednesday that the EU welcomed China's decision, but urged China to take more actions.

The Hong Kong media noticed that the day before von der Leyen's "change in attitude," Trump had just made sharp criticisms of Europe's climate and immigration policies, as well as Europe's continued purchase of Russian energy products. On Tuesday's speech at the assembly, he even ranted at all the leaders present, saying, "Your countries are heading towards destruction."

On September 23 local time, Trump delivered a speech at the UN headquarters in New York. Screenshot

Recently, the Trump administration also tried to get the EU to impose tariffs on China and India to pressure Russia, and von der Leyen recently clearly stated in an interview that the EU would decide on tariff issues independently.

This statement was interpreted as the EU "actually" refusing the key demands of the Trump administration, highlighting the deepening differences between the US and EU on economic policy, as well as the EU's determination to maintain its independent global strategy in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape.

The UK Guardian's column article published on the 23rd pointed out that for many years, the EU has followed the US's steps on China-related issues, but this approach is no longer feasible now. The article questioned, "In the absence of one superpower ally, can the EU afford to be squeezed between two great powers?"

The article analyzed that China still holds the upper hand in the current Sino-US trade war, and Trump sees Europe as an appendage: he is happy to see Europe bear the consequences of imposing economic pressure on China, but is unwilling to pay the price himself, and his decisions often ignore the positions of European and Asian partners.

As the role of Washington's so-called "Polar Star" disappears, the article believes Europeans will have to rethink: what is their real position, and how should they interact with China?

The article continues to ask, "Should we increase trade protectionism, or promote technology transfer from China to avoid trade wars and protect the global trade order with Asia? In the knowledge that without China's green technology, the EU cannot advance its energy transition and achieve climate goals, should we accept or try to reduce dependence on China's green technology? In the Global South, in the context of the US stepping back from aid, can the EU really counter China's Belt and Road Initiative, or accept its own 'Global Gateway' infrastructure initiative to complement it..."

Unfortunately, "the answers to these questions are not simple. But hoping the problems will disappear on their own is not the answer."

Regarding Sino-European relations, on September 13 local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, said in Ljubljana that the current international situation is chaotic and full of conflicts, and China and Europe should be friends rather than rivals, cooperate rather than confront each other, and make the right choices in the century's transformation, demonstrating the responsibility that both sides owe to history and the people.

During his visit to Austria on the 12th, Wang Yi also mentioned that maintaining the healthy and stable development of Sino-European relations is in the interests of both sides and the wishes of the people. The problems Europe is currently facing are not caused by China. China supports Europe in seeking true strategic autonomy, but opposes the wrong idea of making deals that harm China's interests. It hopes that Austria will play a constructive role in promoting the EU to adopt a rational and pragmatic policy toward China.

This article is an exclusive article by Observer Net, and may not be reprinted without permission.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553837025536557622/

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