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Expectations Lowered Ahead of Europe-China Summit

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - The European Union and China hold talks Monday with hopes to
   strike a trade and investment deal by the year's end. Several issues
   pose potential hurdles, though, from human rights and climate concerns
   to the outcome of November's U.S. election.
   Expectations for the summit have already been notched down. It was
   supposed to be a face-to-face meeting in Leipzig, Germany, between
   Chinese President Xi Jinping and the 27 European Union leaders. Because
   of coronavirus concerns, it has now turned into virtual, downsized
   talks between just Xi, top EU officials and Chancellor Angela Merkel of
   Germany, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

   The two sides still hope to reach an agreement this year on a deal
   granting greater investment in and access to each other's markets.

   But as European Council President Charles Michel pointed out during
   previous EU-China talks in June, there are key areas the two global
   powers do not agree on. He noted European concerns on issues such as
   human rights, climate change and cyberattacks.

   Indeed, Reuters news agency suggested Monday's talks may result in only
   a modest agreement for now on protecting regional food designations on
   products such as Irish whisky and Chinese bean paste.

   "What's at stake here is the EU-China relationship is not in really
   fantastic shape at the moment," he said.

   Janka Oertel,director of the Asia program at the European Council on
   Foreign Relations policy institute, says"the situation in Hong Kong,
   the situation in Xinjiang, plus the economic situation that hasn't
   improved over the last few years, plus COVID -- has really created a
   lot of concern in Europe at the future relationship with China."

   She's referring to European concerns about China's treatment of
   minority Uighurs, and its policies toward Hong Kong, including the
   controversial new national security law. On the economic side, Europe
   wants greater market access, intellectual property rights protection
   and climate change commitments from Beijing.

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