China trying to divide and rule in Europe, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says

Member states must ‘maintain the necessary collective discipline’ as China looks to take advantage of their different views on diplomacy, Spaniard says

Borrell also questions Beijing’s insistence on ‘telling the world’ about its aid efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic and its unique take on multilateralism

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EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell says developing a joint approach to superpowers is never easy. Photo: Retuers

Published: 6:00pm, 16 May 2020Updated: 7:36pm, 16 May 2020

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has accused China of trying to exploit differences of opinion among the bloc’s 27 member states for its own ends, while promoting a unique version of multilateralism.

Spaniard Josep Borrell said in an article published by several European newspapers on Friday that trust and reciprocity were the “necessary ingredients” for EU-China relations.

His comments came as President Xi Jinping said in a telephone conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday that China “firmly supports the United Nations and World Health Organisation in fighting the pandemic” and was “ready to work with all countries” to control Covid-19, according to a report by Xinhua.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country supports the UN and WHO in fighting Covid-19. Photo: AFP

As Beijing has sought to repair the damage caused to its international image by the health crisis that started on its soil, the EU has criticised Chinese officials for their propaganda and disinformation campaigns aimed at a European audience.

Borrell urged member states to maintain collective discipline as China sought to take advantage of their different views on diplomacy.