I would like to thank you for this rich and vivid debate.
It shows how timely it is.
Today's debate clearly attests that EU – China relations must be seen in an increasingly complex geopolitical context.
Several speakers stressed China's ambiguous position on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It hurts EU – China relations. Just as Europe is deeply hurt by the war on its continent.
On Taiwan: The EU remains strongly opposed on any unilateral change of status quo in the Taiwan straits, especially with a use of force. Its preservation has been a way for peaceful development and economic growth, and prosperity in the region.
It is key to exercise restraint: tensions should be resolved through a meaningful and open dialogue. The EU will continue its efforts aiming to preserve peace and stability in the region.
Yet, despite the worsening political context, EU-China trade remains robust. Total goods trade between the EU and China reached a total of 856 billion euro in 2022. It means 2.3 billion euro of trade every day.
However, while overall beneficial, the EU-China economic relationship remains critically unbalanced.
For instance, in 2022, the EU's bilateral trade deficit with China reached an unprecedented level: €396 billion.
As President Von Der Leyen said: there is an urgent need to rebalance our relationship. We should seek more transparency, predictability, and reciprocity.
To achieve this goal, engagement with China will be key, including on irritants.
The High-Level Dialogues on Economy and Trade, on Environment and Climate, and on Digital are valuable platforms for the engagement.
It is of course important that they produce concrete results. It is a matter of credibility.
Finally, as the President emphasised today, the central part of our future China strategy must be economic de-risking.
Going forward, the EU's objective is to avoid over-dependencies on China.
For example, the EU should not overly depend on China for the critical raw materials that are essential for the green and digital transition. It means diversifying sources of EU supplies. It is very different from economic decoupling.
The Commission will put forward a new Economic Security Strategy in the coming months.
Honourable Members,
I fully agree with this House - to succeed in our relationship with China, Europe must show a united stance.
I would like to thank Honourable Members of this Parliament for re-emphasising this major point today.
