Europe reaffirms middle path on China, rejects Biden
Xi Jinping's second trip outside of China since the pandemic concludes with European leaders voicing opposition to US-led chip bans on China. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, urges cooperation with Beijing and opposes efforts to divide the world into competing blocs. "This is a huge mistake, even for both the US and China," said Emmanuel Macron, adding, "We need a single global order." Comments show that Europe is finding its footing in negotiating a middle ground with China. With Germany in recession and Europe bracing for a harsh winter, "there is little appetite for confrontation with Beijing," according to the analyst. As the US heaps pressure on ASML, which manufactures some of the world's most powerful computer chips, Xi encouraged Rutte to prevent "decoupling."
The Chinese leader also urged for more cooperation with South Korea in high-tech industries. The visit comes as European leaders debate how to deal with an increasingly aggressive China. The European Union has designated China as a systemic rival, but the regional policy is still fragmented. Former Soviet bloc countries are beginning to question Beijing's economic dominance on the continent. The Prime Minister of Finland has warned of the dangers of being overly reliant on authoritarian regimes such as China.