(ANSA) - STRASBOURG, APRIL 18 - "Turning our backs on China is not appropriate and is not in our interest. Europe must row towards eliminating the risks that characterize relations with Beijing, but without giving up".
This was stated by the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaking on relations between the EU and China in the Eurochamber.
"The Chinese Communist Party has set aside the policy that has characterized the country in recent years, as in the case of Taiwan", explained von der Leyen, underlining the need for an "EU strategy" and emphasizing how "we must not turn a blind eye to the violation of rights either" .
"The trip I made to Beijing with Macron was necessary because it gave us the opportunity to speak with Xi Jinping on major global issues such as debt relief or climate transition. And it gave us the opportunity to deliver our message. We wanted to clear the field of misunderstandings, what I said in Beijing is that we don't want to eliminate ties in terms of trade and society but it is important to review our relations by focusing them on transparency, predictability and reciprocity", underlined vonder Leyen.
"We want China to respect a level playing field in access for our companies, and respect transparency in intellectual property. That is why the crucial part of our China strategy is oriented towards risk reduction," added von der Leyen.
(HANDLE).
