Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged the European Union to make “the right strategic choice” and enhance cooperation with China, while EU leaders called for a rebalancing of trade ties, as the two sides tackle deep-seated grievances at a tense summit in Beijing.

Half a century after the establishment of relations between China and the EU, and against a backdrop of deteriorating transatlantic relations, the European Union and China held their 25th summit in Beijing.

Expectations are rock-bottom for an EU-China summit on Thursday that will test European resolve and unity as the bloc faces intense trade pressure from both Beijing and the United States, analysts say.

Respecting the customs, beliefs and identities of others is not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a prerequisite for peaceful coexistence in an interdependent world. The encouragement of cultural dialogue between societies grounded in mutual respect and equality is a moral and strategic necessity.