EU Ambassador's Speech at the Journalists’ Reception

Distinguished guests, 

Members of the press corps, 

Esteemed colleagues! 

It is a pleasure to be with and to host you at the EU Delegation in Beijing today.

It has been only a few weeks since I arrived in Beijing. 

As I am still rather new to China, tonight I have decided on a very diplomatic strategy: after this speech I will largely listen to you, ask you questions and avoid saying anything that could become tomorrow’s headline.   

Some people say that the relationship between diplomats and journalists is an intimate but complicated one.  A little like a what some are saying about marriage: there is mutual dependence, occasional misunderstanding, and a great deal of discussion about what was actually said… 

With my wife Anne, being present here tonight, I can assure you that we never have such issues…

But to be serious: during my tenure here as the EU Ambassador to China, I will do my best to strengthen mutual engagement and avoid misunderstandings. 

I was pleased to learn that this EU Delegation has been able to host regular receptions, meetings and other engagements with the press corps in Beijing, both foreign correspondents and Chinese media.

Let me assure you that we will continue this, and I will do my utmost to keep in touch with you. 

I especially admire the resilience of the foreign correspondents doing your work in a very challenging media environment. 

I am aware that there are significant differences between the access and working conditions for foreign correspondents in China and those for Chinese correspondents in Europe. But Europe will stay free and open, cherishing freedom of expression and universal rights. Europe will continue to stand by these principles around the world, also here in China.

In an increasingly complex world, we need foreign correspondents who can provide direct, reliable reporting on global events, grounded in a local knowledge and experience. 

By working – here in China – foreign correspondents provide valuable insights into the functioning of this fascinating country and also help audiences at home understand complex international, political, and socio-economic developments. We are grateful for that. 

EU-CHINA RELATIONS

Now, let me briefly turn to the current state of EU-China relations.

A relationship that is not only important for each other, but it can also mean much for the rest of the world. We do have clear differences, of 

• interests (such as on trade)

• perspectives (such as on Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine)

• interpretations (of universal values and obligations)

But that is even more a reason to mutually engage and understand. So, dialogue remains important. 

The European Union seeks a mature, balanced, and predictable relationship with China. 

In this context, at this moment, we are strongly focusing the attention of our dialogue to the trade relationship.

As the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made clear last week in Strasbourg in her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, the EU’s trade deficit with China now amounts to about €1 billion per day. 

It has reached a tipping point.

We need to rebalance our economic ties to ensure they are fair, sustainable, and mutually beneficial. The current situation is un-sustainable. 

As you will know, we are currently negotiating with China on this matter. Talks are going on to address particularly disruptive increases in Chinese exports to the EU, by agreeing on ways to moderate such exports; as well as to improve market access for EU exports to China in a number of areas.

The EU side is firmly focussed on moving the relationship forward and we pursue constructive engagements with the Chinese side. 

The coming days and weeks will be crucial to securing a positive outcome in these trade negotiations – an outcome that is in the interests of both the European Union and China.

• We are aiming for a credible outcome.

• We are currently working on a credible outcome. 

• Both the EU and China need a credible outcome, to manage our trade relationship. 

• The EU is constructive and determined on this.

Meanwhile, the relationship is about more than about trade and economic cooperation, however important.

As we look across the vast Eurasian landmass linking Europe and China, we cannot ignore the tragedy of war just beyond the EU’s eastern border.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have relentlessly asked China to use its influence vis-a-vis Russia to stop its war of aggression against Ukraine. This topic is important to us, since the war directly affects European security, as do recent hybrid attacks in EU Member States attributed to Russia. 

On a global scale, both the EU and China have joint responsibility to uphold multilateralism and to contribute to global peace, stability and sustainable development.

We see China as a key partner in the protection of the global common goods, which is also in our shared interest. We are convinced we can set an ambitious agenda on climate change and environment, as we have demonstrated in recent months and years.  Europe and China can make a difference together, to the benefit of the wider world.

Dear friends,

I am committed to work on all those matters in the years to come. Based on European interests and values, while being fully aware of a changed geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape, I will work on strengthening the relationship.

Let me once again thank you for your presence and your daily work, which leads to building greater understanding and bridging the information gap between the European Union and China.

Thank you.

[END]

European Union, 2026