Brussels, 5 December 2023 EU-China Summit 7 December 2023

 Brussels, 5 December 2023 EU-China Summit 7 December 2023 

On Thursday 7 December 2023, the leaders of the EU and China will hold a summit in Beijing, China.

 The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by High Representative Josep Borrell. 

China will be represented by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. 

The summit will cover the following topics: 

• EU-China relations 

• Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine 

• the situation in the Middle East • 

climate change • 

global health and pandemic preparedness 

EU-China summit webpage Indicative programme (local time) 

Thursday, 7 December 11:00 Meeting with President Xi Jinping (followed by a working lunch) 

15:00 Working session with Premier Li Qiang 

17:30 Banquet with Premier Li Qiang 

20:00 Press conference by President Michel and President von der Leyen 

EU-China relations The summit is an opportunity to take stock of EU-China relations and of cooperation in fields where the EU and China share interests, notably on global and regional challenges. The EU and China should have a constructive dialogue aimed at achieving balanced economic relations. 

EU leaders will also raise issues of concern, particularly the human rights situation, tensions in the Taiwan Strait, instability in the East and South China Seas. 

European Council conclusions on China, 30 June 2023 1 

This note has been drawn up under the responsibility of the press office. Council of the European Union PRESS EN Press office - General Secretariat of the Council Rue de la Loi 175 - B-1048 BRUSSELS - Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 5150 press.president@consilium.europa.eu - www.consilium.europa.eu/press 2/2

 Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine 

The EU will call on the Chinese leadership to press Russia to stop its war of aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.. EU leaders will call on China to defend the rules-based international order. The EU will call on China to prevent attempts by Russia to circumvent or counter the effects sanctions. 

 Infographic - EU solidarity with Ukraine EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine European Council conclusions on Ukraine, 

29 June 2023 Middle East Leaders will discuss the unfolding situation and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, as well as diplomatic engagement to encourage peace in the region. European Council conclusions on Middle East, 

26 October 2023 Climate and environment Amidst the ongoing COP28 summit in Dubai, the EU will encourage China to take more ambitious action on climate change, including phasing out fossil fuels and committing to reducing methane levels, in order to fulfil the terms of the Paris Agreement and achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Climate change: What the EU is doing (background information) 

COP28: Council sets out EU position for UN climate summit in Dubai Global health and pandemic preparedness The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that health policy must transcend national boundaries lines in order for countries to better prepare for and prevent health crises. 

In Beijing, the EU will call on China to strengthen cooperation on pandemic prevention, including at the World Health Assembly (WHA). An international agreement on pandemic prevention and preparedness Negotiations on the World Health Organisation Pandemic Agreement Background The previous EU-China summit took place via videoconference on 1 April 2022. 

At the European Council summit in June 2023, EU leaders held a strategic discussion on the EU's relations with China. EU-China summit via videoconference, 1 April 2022 European Council conclusions on China, 30 June 202