China and EU agree to deepen environmental cooperation at ministerial dialogue
(Chinese State Council, June 17, 2025)

As these weeks' positive development, we want to highlight the renewal of the EU's and China's commitment to environmental cooperation during their 10th environment policy ministerial dialogue. Both sides acknowledged the valuable results achieved within the High-level Environment and Climate Dialogue.

‘A new China shock’: von der Leyen revives hard line on Beijing at G7 summit
(South China Morning Post, June 17, 2025)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen strongly criticised China during the G7 Summit in Canada, warning that a "new China shock" is underway. Reversing her earlier less-critical tone towards Beijing, she accused China of deliberately creating and weaponising a near-monopoly in the global supply of rare earths.

EU Refuses China Meetings Over Trade Spat Before Leaders Summit
(Bloomberg, June 17, 2025)

However, the EU has refused to participate in the EU–China High–Level Economic and Trade Dialogue with China at the end of July.

This decision reportedly stems from a lack of progress in resolving ongoing bilateral trade disputes.

China-based AliExpress breached EU digital rules over illegal products
(Politico, June 18, 2025)

The European Commission stated that, according to preliminary findings, the China-based e–commerce company AliExpress has violated platform rules regarding illegal products. The Commission acknowledged AliExpress' commitment to meet its obligations in other areas of the Digital Services Act. AliExpress will implement new internal and independent monitoring processes and frameworks.

Chinese firms slam von der Leyen’s hawkish anti-Beijing turn
(Euractiv, June 18, 2025; Xinhua, June 18, 2025)

After Ursula von der Leyen's harsh criticisms of Chinese protectionist policies during the G7 summit, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU criticised her speech as dividing the global economy and distracting from European economic issues. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also expressed strong dissatisfaction, calling her remarks factually inaccurate and steeped in prejudice and double standards.

China committed to resolving trade frictions with EU through dialogue, MOFCOM says on reported EU refusal of economic meeting over rift
(Global Times, June 19, 2025)

Following reports claiming that the EU is refusing to hold an economic meeting with China, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce underlined the importance of bilateral economic and trade relations and communication .

Commission restricts Chinese participation in medical devices procurement
(European Commission, June 20, 2025)

Following the investigation under the International Procurement Instrument, the European Commission decided to exclude Chinese companies from EU government purchases of medical devices exceeding 5 million euros . Furthermore, no more than 50% of inputs from China are allowed for successful bids.

Chinese FM meets envoys from EU, member states
(Chinese State Council, June 25, 2025; EEAS, June 25, 2025)

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys from the EU Mission to China in Beijing. They discussed EU–China relations, as well as international and regional hotspots and global governance issues. Wang Yi proposed three points for the future development of China–EU relations: upholding mutual respect, adhering to the established framework of their partnership, and maintaining multilateralism.

EU prosecutors uncover criminal scheme involving Chinese imports via Greece
(Reuters, June 26, 2025)

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office uncovered a 700 million euros fraud scheme involving falsified Chinese import documents through the Greek port of Piraeus. Ten suspects were arrested, and authorities seized thousands of items. The scheme involved undervaluing or misclassifying goods to evade customs duties.

Rare earths ‘THE thing’ for EU agenda planners ahead of China leaders’ summit
(South China Morning Post, June 26, 2025)

In the agenda-setting process for the EU–China summit in July, EU leaders will most likely focus on China’s dominance in the global supply of rare earth elements.

China has begun issuing rare earth export licences to European firms, EU sources say
(South China Morning Post, June 27, 2025)

China has begun issuing export licences for rare earth elements and magnets to European companies . This development undermines the EU's efforts to achieve a structural solution.

China says US attack on Iran has damaged its credibility
(Reuters, June 23, 2025)

After the US strikes on Iran, China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong said that the attacks have damaged Washington's credibility both as a country and as a participant in any international negotiations. All parties should restrain the “impulse of force, avoid exacerbating conflicts” and adding fuel to the fire."

Beijing’s ‘massive’ build-up raises threat of Taiwan Strait conflict: Nato chief
(South China Morning Post, June 24, 2025)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that China's enlarged military presence increases the threat of conflict across the Taiwan Strait and could pull Russia or Europe into the conflict.

PM Modi invited for state dinner, Xi Jinping pulls out of BRICS Summit for the first time in 12 years
(South China Morning Post, June 26, 2025)

Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict, which will lead to his first absence since taking office. Replacing Xi, Premier Li Qiang is expected to lead the delegation.

Lithuania and the Philippines sign security pact to counter 'authoritarian axis' of China and Russia
(Euronews, June 30, 2025)

The Philippines and Lithuania signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a security alliance, as both countries are increasingly concerned about emerging authoritarian states, such as China and Russia.

Why Losing the US Still Won't Bring Europe Closer to China
(9Dashline, June 16, 2025)

Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center's senior fellow Nicholas Bequelin analyses Europe's difficult situation between a strained transatlantic alliance, the war in Ukraine, Chinese overcapacities and the decline of the international liberal order. He concludes that the lack of trust, the awareness of European vulnerabilities and China–Russia relations lead to remaining stable but narrowly defined Sino–European relations.

Greater risks, greater confidence: China’s new national security white paper
(MERICS, June 18, 2025)

The first MERICS China Security and Risk Tracker of 2025 looks into China’s new national security white paper. The white paper presents China’s national security situation as stable due to Xi's concept of comprehensive national security. The primary changes in China's security conception stem from the challenging international environment, the country's economic slowdown, and new technologies. The white paper paints a picture of a confident China poised to continue the “dual miracle” of sustained growth and political stability.

The charm-shock strategy: How China courts and pressures Europe
(ThinkChina, June 25, 2025)

Prof. Philippe Le Corre, Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute Center for China Analysis, looks into EU–China relations and a Europe caught in the middle of the US–China rivalry. Thereby, he describes Chinese engagement with Europe as a "charm offensive", while the EU lacks a united response, but mainly looks at economic concerns. Ursula von der Leyen now warns of a new "China shock".

China’s European bridgehead
(GIS, June 26, 2025)

Zoltán Kiszelly analyses the role of Hungary for EU–China engagement, underlining its function as a gateway to Europe. He states that Hungary is not planning to decouple from China, but rather to extend market access for Chinese companies.

Couples therapy? EU–China relations hit new low ahead of summit
(Euractiv, June 30, 2025)

As part of a special report on 50 Years of EU–China Relations, Xhoi Zajmi assesses EU–China relations in the lead-up to the July summit. The analysis emphasises rising tensions between the EU and China, diminishing the hopes for a diplomatic reset in the context of 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations.

On June 18, the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) co-organised the third PISM–IRSEM–SWP Conference on European defence autonomy. The conference, titled "The Weimar Triangle and European Autonomy in Defence: how to prepare the EU for potential war(s)?", suggested a Weimar triangle leadership of European defence.

This, according to the panel, could provide the most resilient format to guide European defence with a shared and unifying political will. Further, the war in Ukraine, the upcoming NATO summit, and questions of preparedness and aligning European response mechanisms were discussed.

On June 18, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung's US Briefing "Ties that Bind or Unwind? Transatlantic interdependence and Trump 2.0" questioned the coherence of the Trump administration's decision-making and brought up issues of economic security under the current US administration, which aims to reduce US centrality in international affairs.

It was emphasised that the Chinese currency cannot replace the US Dollar. European leverage and the need to be bold, deepen partnerships, provide leadership in the global economy and improve threat responses were discussed.

On June 19, our Institute for China–Europe Studies' webinar titled "Global Gateway & Belt and Road Initiative: European and Chinese Visions for Global Connectivity" looked into existing and possible cooperation and tensions between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Gateway (GGI) .

The panellists further discussed the strategic interests, values and norms embedded in these initiatives and in which ways they influence global standards in the fields of finance, technology, and sustainability.

The European Policy Centre (EPC) hosted a EU & China Think Tank Dialogue on June 19 and 20, discussing 50 years of diplomatic relations, the future of international cooperation and multilateralism, as well as bilateral technology and trade relations.

The MLex event on June 25, titled "From US tariffs to a competitive China: Europe's trade strategy of tomorrow", brought together European and Chinese experts to look into European trade issues.

The panel discussed the geopolitical impact on trade and the need for partnerships, as well as reinforced trade defence. Especially the questions of ensuring a rules-based playing field, Chinese overcapacities, rare earth controls, and the need for Chinese investments in critical areas sparked a debate.

On June 26, the webinar on "The Role of the EU and China in a Global Security Dilemma" by us, the Institute for China–Europe Studies, discussed the perceptions of the EU's and China's role in the current global security landscape.

The panellists explored the drivers of securitisation in a multipolar world, evolving NATO dynamics, and vulnerabilities within the EU's security framework. Key challenges, such as structural asymmetries, a lack of trust, regional crises, and the rise of populist movements, were emphasised. Areas of common ground and opportunities for joint efforts to address shared security concerns were explored.