China represses at home, more assertive abroad: EU chief | World News

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that China’s stance from a tough reform era to an era of security and control required Europe to “de-risk” diplomatically and economically.

Ahead of next week’s visit to China with French President Emmanuel Macron, von der Leyen offered a sober assessment of Chinese policy, acknowledging that relations with Beijing had become “more estranged and difficult” over the past few years.

Von der Leyen said it was China’s responsibility to advance a “just peace” to end the war in Ukraine that required the withdrawal of invading Russian troops after Chinese President Xi Jinping last week pledged closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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China has become more authoritarian at home and more assertive abroad, she said.

Von der Leyen said decoupling from China was not feasible, but the focus on reducing the risks posed to Europe was crucial.

Economically, the EU needs to “rebalance” its relationship and reduce its dependence on China.

Von der Leyen said that the EU has taken a series of measures to deal with economic distortions and protect its security interests, but the EU should also pay attention to the high technology shared with a changing China.

She said the European Commission would later this year present ideas on measures to control foreign investment in certain sensitive technologies to ensure they do not enhance the military or intelligence capabilities of systemic rivals.