Summit ‘positive sign’ after China-EU setback

►Robust climate cooperation creates favorable atmosphere for more areas

By inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to a climate summit, endorsing China’s ambitious carbon neutrality plan and eye-watering economic growth, leaders from Germany and France, Europe’s major countries, sent positive signals of saving ties between Beijing and Brussels out of a previous plight caused by tit-for-tat sanctions, and expanding the scope for future cooperation.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi attended the virtual meeting with the French leader and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday. The Chinese leader reiterated China’s ambitious plan of becoming carbon neutral by 2060, and the country’s international commitment in coping with climate change issues.

German and French leaders welcomed Beijing’s aim to reach the goal. Macron vowed to cooperate with China on fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, while Merkel expressed willingness to push forward the signing of the China-EU investment treaty.

Xi stressed that relations between China and the bloc face various challenges, yet both sides have to firmly hold the direction and main tone of bilateral ties development.

The outcome of the meeting mirrored China and the EU’s shared willingness and need to stabilize and push forward bilateral relations after the recent setback over Xinjiang human rights and other issues, said Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

Climate created a platform for the leaders to discuss a wide range of topics, Cui said, noting that starting with the climate change response, the two sides can expand the friendly atmosphere to enhance communications and effectively manage differences.

China-EU relations soured last month after the two slapped each other with sanctions over Xinjiang human rights.

Leaders from both sides showed their wisdom of setting aside the small differences before it deteriorates, said experts, noting that the EU’s symbolic sanctions on China, in large part, serve only to tailor to the US. Yet the EU is also wary of Washington over their disputes, such as the trade issue, and reluctance to offer EU enough COVID-19 vaccines.

Analysts said the EU’s hesitation with the US is also mirrored in this summit arrangement.

The summit was arranged at the time when US climate envoy John Kerry was visiting Shanghai in preparation for US President Joe Biden’s Earth Day climate summit.

Inviting the Chinese leader for talks before participating in the US summit also shows the EU’s mistrust for a back-pedaling US, whose frequent retreat and return from the global climate framework has waned international cooperation in this field, said Wang Yiwei, director of the institute of international affairs at Renmin University.

Cui also pointed out that China and the EU have taken the leadership in tackling the problem during the US absence. Though the US wanted to return “in high profile,” it has to “make up the missed lessons” first.