Europe engages China in diplomatic dance

THREE senior European leaders have travelled thousands of miles to Beijing in recent days to see Chinese President Xi Jinping, yet the centre of their discussions lie much closer to home in Ukraine.

The backdrop to Xi’s meetings with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and French President Emmanuel Macron is the ongoing conflict. Russia’s invasion has left Europe, and the wider West, more united than in years which worries Xi.

So as China’s relations with the United States remain at rock bottom, Beijing is keen to avoid a long lasting public spat with the EU27 too, which are collectively one of the country’s biggest trading partners. Indeed, one driver of Xi’s 12-point “peace plan” released last month – which is focused more on broad principles than detailed ideas – is softening European and broader international opinion about China’s stance on the conflict, rather than being a realistic blueprint for quickly resolving the conflict.