Authors: Mikołaj Woźniak, Konrad Falkowski. Content support: Łukasz Kobierski
3.66. Sefcovic-Wang gathering in Paris
On the margins of the ministerial gathering of the planet Trade Organisation in Paris, the Commissioner for Trade and economical Security, Mr Maros Sefcovic and Mr Wang Wentao, Minister of Trade, spoke to each other. After Sefcovic gathering stated, that both stakeholders are "working hard to solve problems in trade relations", especially before the July summit. The already problematic issues, specified as electrical cars from China or European brandy, have besides joined problems Chinese dominance of key minerals (rare earth metals) and limitations PRC exports imposed in this respect.
However, more about the gathering itself transmitted A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, stressing that the discussions were "concentrated, sincere and thorough" and afraid "urgent and crucial issues specified as the EU anti-subsidy case against China for electrical vehicles, China's anti-dumping case against EU brandy and export control".
As regards Chinese ‘electrics’, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC stated that ‘currently, consultations on price undertakings between China and the EU on electrical vehicles have entered a final phase but efforts by both parties are inactive needed’. Newly, the European side has proposed "to research fresh method paths in parallel and China will measure the feasibility of the EU proposal from a legal and method perspective".
In the case of Chinese brandy duties from the European Union, the PRC came to any degree to an agreement with the French companies concerned, which submitted price undertakings to the Chinese investigating authority. The conclusions – as the spokesperson pointed out – were analysed and evaluated, and the final verdict is due to appear before 5 July 2025.
The most fresh conflict-ogenic issue, which is China's control of exports of uncommon earth metals, was besides explained by Minister Wang. He stressed that "the implementation of controls on exports of rare-earth metals and another objects is an internationally accepted practice". At the same time, China understands the concerns of the European Union and is ready to establish a "green channel for qualified applications to velocity up the approval process". In addition, he has instructed his squad to communicate effectively with the European side in this respect and hopes that the EU will "take effective measures to facilitate, safeguard and advance trade-in-law in high-tech products with China".
5.06. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines corresponds to Kaji Kallas
At the turn of May and June, Kaja Kallas, advanced typical of the Union for abroad Affairs and safety Policy, made an authoritative journey to Asia during which spoke at the IISS Asia safety Summit: The Shangri-La Dialogue, followed by a journey to the Philippines, where She met Among others, with the abroad Minister Enrique Manalo and the president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The intent of the visit was to strengthen cooperation in the field of safety and defence. During a joint press release, Kallas raised indirect disputes in the South China Sea basin, saying“The European Union is an ardent supporter of global law ... We have UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], we have agreements on maritime safety and shipping routes. We so reject any unilateral changes to the position quo, including the application of coercion. And of course we support all partners who believe in global law, and we are willing to defend the law, due to the fact that if you do not defend the law, the situation in the planet and globally would be completely different."
As could be expected, these words were not unnoticed by Beijing, who, through his embassy in Manila, referred to the situation. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy on request for comment answered in the first words: "The sovereignty, rights and interests of China in the South China Sea have been established in a long history, are firmly embedded in past and law and are compatible with global law, including the United Nations Charter". He further stated that the dispute between the PRC and the Philippines was a substance of "territorial sovereignty, which goes beyond UNCLOS", in turn the Court of Arbitration, which issued its message in 2016 regarding the South China Sea and the dispute in question, was to breach "the rule of the State's consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultravires [outside the scope of competence] and issued a judgement that disregards the law’. Therefore, China does not full respect or accept this ruling, calling it illegal or invalid. He further noted that the situation in the South China Sea Basin "is mostly stable, and freedom of navigation and flight over this area has never been a problem", and that any tensions in these waters "are not caused by China". Finally, he added that the European Union has no right to interfere in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines due to the fact that it is not a organization to any of the conflicts. Similarly, the criticism of China's "reasoned efforts to defend their territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" by the EU is in specified a situation unfounded. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy urged the European Union "to respect the territorial sovereignty of China and the rights and interests of the sea in the South China Sea and to refrain from activities that could escalate tensions". At the same time, he besides urged the Philippines not to affect external forces and 3rd parties in the dispute with China, and encouraged them to return "to the right way of managing differences through dialog and consultation with China".
6.06. Barrot-Wang telephone call
The French Minister of Europe and abroad Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot had a telephone conversation on 6 June with his Chinese counterpart – Wang Yi, as reported by the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the PRC. How can you read from messageWang noted that both China and France highly value their independency by cultivating independency traditions and widely understood autonomy. This in turn leads to a situation where both parties "must strengthen strategical common trust and respect their fundamental interests," said the head of the Chinese Ministry of abroad Affairs. He stressed the issue of Taiwan here, calling it "China's interior affairs", and the issue is, in Beijing's view, of "Chinese national sovereignty and territorial integrity", and this problem is so different from that related to the war in Ukraine. Wang hoped that France would stay faithful to the rule of "one China" and that it would "take the right position and argue NATO interference in the Asia-Pacific region." He further added that it is in the interests of China and France to support a multilateral order in which free trade prevails, and to argue fear policies and unilateral intimidating actions.
Barrot, for his part, confirmed the implementation of his country's "one China" policy and confirmed that "France always sees China as a friend and partner". It besides hopes to keep and make bilateral relations at a advanced level. The head of the French diplomacy felt that the ‘opening sign’ was to grow people-to-people contacts and exchange in the cultural field. Moreover, he opposed the start of trade and customs wars – he felt that the right way to resolve disputes on an economical and commercial basis is through consultation and dialogue.
10.06. Vice-President of the PRC Han Zheng, Spain
On 10-13 June 2025, Vice-President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng made an authoritative visit to Spain. This visit was related to his participation in Conference UN Oceans in Nice. The gathering was of peculiar importance in the context of strengthening relations between China and Spain and the European Union. It is worth noting that it took place little than 2 months later than the erstwhile visits Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Beijing, which highlights Spain's increasing function as an intermediary between the European Union and China.
The main point of the visit was meeting Han Zhenga with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, held on 11 June in Madrid. During the talks, key global challenges specified as climate change, improvement finance and tensions in global trade were addressed. Both parties stressed their attachment to the principles of multilateralism, global law and the function of the United Nations. Prime Minister Sánchez pointed out the importance of an global order based on rules and free trade, respecting the consequences of global trade wars. As part of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China, the interlocutors stressed the request to build common trust and respect for values.
Special attention was besides given to celebrated in 2025, 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive strategical Partnership between Spain and China. Based on Sánchez's visit to Beijing a fewer months earlier, both sides implement the Action Plan by 2028, which includes cooperation in the areas of economy, agriculture, science, innovation, green energy and cultural and educational exchange. Both Spain and China have expressed their desire to strengthen political trust and cooperation within global organisations and to advance the improvement of advanced technologies specified as electromobility, photovoltaics and green hydrogen.
On June 12, Han was adopted by king Spain Philip VI, to whom he gave greetings from president Xi Jinping. The talks with the monarch raised issues of economical relations development, especially in areas of fresh energy, food industry, electromobility, agriculture and education. The 2 leaders besides discussed the global situation, expressing their desire to advance stableness and peace, peculiarly in the context of conflicts in Ukraine and the mediate East.
After meetings with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Han of Spain It worked. to Seville, where he met Juan Manuel Moreno – leader of Andalusia authorities. Last year the region attracted Chinese investments worth more than EUR 2.5 billion. According to the forecasts of the Spanish tourist lobby Turespaña, the number of tourists from China visiting Spain this summertime will increase by 36% compared to the erstwhile year. Spain will thus become the most popular destination in Europe among Chinese travellers. On the another hand, in the commercial sphere, the benefits of fresh decisions by the Chinese authorities specified as allowing further pig products to be imported from Spain or suspending anti-dumping duties were highlighted. These are steps interpreted as gestures of good will, conducive to further improvement of bilateral economical relations.
16.06. president Von der Leyen on China at the G7 Summit
During the 51st G7 Summit, which held On 16-17 June in Canada, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen besides had a minute of speech. How can you read from statements China was the main axis of its speech published on the Commission website. She mentioned them 16 times, saying first that "currently China dominates the planet marketplace for permanent magnets from uncommon earths". Von der Leyen sees the situation as a threat to the improvement of free trade: "China uses this quasi-monopoly not only as a bargaining chip but besides as a weapon to weaken its competitors in key industries". She further added that in fact all traders with the Chinese were "witnesses of the costs and consequences of Chinese coercion through export restrictions". She besides stated that even if Beijing was loosening its limitations, the "threat remains". Another issue she cited erstwhile discussing the problem with the Chinese is the alleged fresh "Chinese shock" – referring to the concept that defined the consequences of the WTO entry in 2001, erstwhile the immense increase in Chinese exports occurred. In this case, according to Von der Leyen, "when the Chinese economy slows down, Beijing floods global markets with subsidised surplus capacity, which its own marketplace is incapable to absorb", and now this form of fresh "shock" is simply a leading threat to the planet economy. She besides stressed that, despite everything, Europe is not on the "de-coupling" side, but on the "de-risking" side (reduction of risks), which is to leave area for cooperation, alternatively than completely closing. Therefore, Europe, as she said, was the first to respond to subsidies from the Chinese in its automotive industry, especially from electromobility. In addition, the European Union is trying to update "arms to control incoming and outgoing investments to avoid driving the military and intelligence possible of systemic rivals". At this point, the president of the European Commission called for joint action to be organised against the usage of Chinese predominance against the holding of uncommon earths, recalling the 2010 example erstwhile "China imposed an embargo on Japan's trade in uncommon earths, resulting in a ten-fold increase in prices". And despite Japan's responses, China has adapted, flooding the planet marketplace with inexpensive elements of uncommon lands to destruct competition. According to Von der Leyen, ‘This pattern of dominance, dependence and blackmail continues to this day’. It so calls for "to make alternatives throughout the supply chain – from extraction and refining to recycling and retention – and to guarantee critical mass of demand". What does that mean? This means the request to invest in fresh mining and capacity projects in both G7 and worldwide. Therefore, an alternate network of trusted suppliers should be built. Moreover, Von der Leyen recommends that we look at another industrial sectors where the biggest distortions are seen, e.g. in the steel or pharmaceutical sectors. In conclusion, "we must work together for non-market policies and practices", said the EC President, proposing, at least, joint monitoring of "in respective circumstantial sectors". Finally, she called for greater community within the G7: “We have a common interest in economical security. The challenges we face are common. And the best answers are the ones we form together."
16.06. Lithuania without Chinese diplomats
It seemed that the diplomatic conflict on the Vilnius-Pekin line would gradually expire with the current year, as specified could be heard by the fresh Lithuanian administration. But in late 2024 Lithuania ordered 3 Chinese diplomats to leave their territory for espionage. In April, the EU-China Review We utilized to quote Statements by the Lithuanian Minister of economical Affairs, who acknowledged that economical relations with Beijing were minimal. Now, in June 2025, the Lithuanian MFA informsthat ‘at present there are no diplomats or employees accredited to work at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vilnius’. According to the information provided by BNS and LRT services, by mid-May, 1 Chinese diplomat served in Lithuania, but "after a short abroad journey he was refused re-entry on 18 May at Vilnius Airport". The reason for the refusal was the deficiency of valid accreditation and the 90-day visa-free stay in the Schengen area. The spokesperson for the State Border defender Giedrius Mišutis commented on the event: “This individual exhausted the allowed time and could no longer trust on this licence [accreditation]”. Thus, the process of curing bilateral relations between Lithuania and China is even more hard than before. At this moment, nothing is heard of any high-level gathering between the representatives of Lithuania and China. possibly the current situation will force specified developments in the close future, assuming a common desire to reconstruct appropriate relations.
23.06. Kaja Kallas on China within the abroad Affairs Council (FAC)
On 23 June, a monthly circular of the abroad Affairs Council was held, bringing together abroad ministers from all associate States of the European Union, with the advanced typical of the Union for abroad Affairs and safety Policy at the head of this meeting. As can be seen from the note after this event, the burning issue of the Council is invariably Russia and its aggression towards Ukraine. Nevertheless, the second subject to be identified as a precedence is relations with the People's Republic of China. The 3rd issue of the highest rank is the dangerously escalating situation in the mediate East. However, returning to the Chinese issue, wasthat Beijing's actions, specified as China's support for Russia and its aggression towards Ukraine, as well as China's hybrid actions (e.g. cyber attacks), affect the safety of the full European Union. During his press conference advanced typical Kaja Kallas at the beginning stressedthat "it is apparent that China is 1 of the largest trading partners and that there are respective issues, specified as climate change, in which we cooperate, but that all relationships require realism." She then explicitly added that "China allows war on Russia". Moreover, the hybrid activities of Chinese, i.e. cyber attacks, interference in European democracy or "forced commercial practices", in the united Europe, make it importantly hard to proceed relations in the form that has been done so far – which is little confrontational and more partner-business. Kallas noted that listening to the positions of the associate States' abroad ministers was of large importance from the position of the forthcoming EU-China Summit in July 2025.
26.06. The Czechs uncover the Chinese plan to assassinate Hsiao Bi-khim
In March 2024, during the visit of Vice president of Taiwan Hsiao Bi-khim to Prague (we wrote more about this event as part of last year's “Review), Chinese embassy in the Czech Republic performed organized intelligence operation – informed Czech service iROZHLAS.cz on 26 June. According to the findings of the Czech Military Intelligence (Vojenské z pravojeství), diplomats from the military-aircraft department of the embassy China has been tracking the vice president always since she arrived. The aim was to gather information about her travel plan, meetings with Czech politicians, including the legislature president Miloš Vystrčil, and to effort to intimidate her.
Chinese diplomats not only followed the Hsiao Bi-khim vehicle column, but besides broke the road regulations, passing at a red light in the center of Prague. Intelligence has considered it a deliberate act, not an accident. Moreover, a "demonstration physical confrontation" of a threatening nature was being prepared, but this plan did not come into being.
Vojenské zpravodajství informed the Czech Ministry of abroad Affairs of the incident, identifying the activities of the Chinese embassy as unprecedented in the European context. A spokesperson for Czech military intelligence described the activities of Chinese diplomats as "disgustingly violating the obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations". The case was referred to by the possible victim of the planned assassination, writing in Common on platform X: “I had a wonderful visit to Prague and thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality and security. The illegal actions of the Communist organization of China will NOT [original record] discourage me from expressing Taiwan's interests in the global community.” On the another hand, the president of the Czech legislature Vystrčil, who hosted the Taiwanese vice president’s visit, commented: “I find this indecent. I don't think that's acceptable. We should respond as a sovereign and assured state. But it is within the competence of the Ministry of abroad Affairs, which must think carefully. We should realize that we live in a planet far more dangerous than ever.”
The Chinese side referred to the case through Ombudsman MFA of the PRC Guo Jiakuna, who answered questions from journalists at a press conference on 27 June. Guo noted that in the opinion of Beijing, Prague "had seriously violated the rule of 1 China and besides grossly interfered with the interior affairs of China", accepting Hsiao's authoritative visit to Prague, which he added specified epithets as "a staunch separatist and supporter Taiwan independenceIt’s okay. ” He immediately added that Chinese diplomats respect and respect the laws and regulations in force in the host countries. He called on the applicable parties to avoid “instigation or force abuse Taiwan independence and refrained from causing unrest, spreading rumors and disrupting and undermining bilateral relations."
