"EU-China Summit: Tensions Rise as Trade, Russian War, and Divisions Take Center Stage"

During the EU-China summit, the European Union urged China to stop its firms from selling sanctioned goods to the Russian military, exposing Chinese companies that are circumventing sanctions by selling European-made dual-use products to Moscow. The EU leaders also pressed China to use its influence to end the war in Ukraine and refrain from supplying lethal equipment to Russia. While discussing areas of cooperation such as artificial intelligence and climate change, the EU called on China to do more to reduce methane emissions and shut down coal-fired plants. The summit took place against the backdrop of Italy's decision to exit the Belt and Road Initiative, leaving Xi's flagship infrastructure drive without any G7 members. The EU emphasized the need for fair competition and de-risking in its economic relationship with China. Human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet were also raised during the summit.