EU signals pragmatic tone as it walks ‘fine line’ between China and the US

Ahead of high-level summits, diplomats prepare to seek new agreements amid volatile relations with Beijing, Washington

Reading Time:5 minutes

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has signaled a shift in diplomatic tone ahead of meetings with foreign-policy makers. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:06pm, 8 Feb 2025Updated: 10:45pm, 8 Feb 2025

It was a mix of surprise and bewilderment in Brussels last week when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a notable China hawk, floated the prospect of cutting new “agreements” with Beijing, and then added for the second time this year that the pair could “even expand trade and investment ties”.

Her remarks were a significant departure from the assertive language she has used in recent years, and were not the result of consultation with others in the European Union’s China policymaking space.

A day later, another surprise landed – this time from China. After von der Leyen’s offer to patch things up, Beijing named veteran diplomat Lu Shaye as special representative for European affairs, charged with “conducting consultations and exchanges with European countries and EU institutions”.

Lu spent five years as ambassador to France where he became known for his abrasive style and propensity to fall out with his hosts. By the time he left Paris, he had been summoned seven times by the French foreign ministry over a series of high-profile rows and, according to people familiar with his case, had lost access to any of the relevant government organs.

The appointment has been seen in Brussels as a signal of Beijing’s future intentions for the relationship.

Lu Shaye is China’s special representative for European Affairs. Photo: Xinhua

“Putting a consummate Wolf Warrior like Lu in the driver’s seat suggests Beijing may be preparing to get more assertive in its dealings with Brussels,” wrote analysts at Trivium, a consultancy on China.