COVID-19: China-EU summit scheduled for September postponed due to pandemic

As coronavirus outbreak still remains a danger to public health, European Union and China meet planned for September in Germany has been postponed. Berlin government, which will hold six-month rotating EU presidency from next month, anunced on June 4 after German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, that y have jointly agreed that “ meetings cant take place” at scheduled time due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. statement was released by Merkel’s spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Twitter. 

statement said, "y agreed that it was because of #Corona -Pandemic cant take place at planned time but should be made up for."

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officials have yet to anunce updated plan of EU-China summit which was previously taking place on September 14 in Leipzig. meet was being looked forward by European leaders as an opportunity to enhance political and ecomic ties with Asian superpower. Just recently, EU had expressed “grave concern” of China’s move to limit Hong Kong’s automy with new security legislation. However, EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Josep Borrel Fontelles also added in a press briefing that imposing sanctions would t resolve crisis situation.

"EU relations with China are based on mutual respect and trust. This decision furr calls into question China's will to uphold its international commitments," European Union representative said.

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'Continue our engment'

Fontelles had already mentioned last week that timetable of summit could be shifted in wake of coronavirus pandemic. European Union's statement on developments in Hong Kong came after United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia unleashed a harsh criticism over new legislation proposed in Chinese parliament. Meanwhile, 27-nation-bloc has ted that it would maintain a dialogue with China over situation and said it would continue with its engment.

"China is one of key global players and EU has to continue its engment with China based on its interests and objectives. If successful this engment will help to shape a more stable and prosperous world, but also a world respectful of fundamental rights and freedoms," EU High Representative.

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