Brussels to Beijing: Xi gets his way in shifting China-EU summit, can he dictate terms too?

Brussels to Beijing: Xi gets his way in shifting China-EU summit, can he dictate terms too?

Even as Chinese President Xi Jinping succeeded in shifting the China-EU Summit from Brussels to Beijing, he may not get his entire wish list fulfilled as two sides continue to have some fundamental divergences, ranging from positions in ongoing trade talks and the Russian war on Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th-L) listens to President of the European Council Antonio Costa (2nd-R), in presence of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (3dr-R), and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas (R) during the opening remarks of the 25th European Union-China Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Andres Martinez Casares/Pool/AFP)