During three hours of talks in Beijing with Xi Jinping, EU Council President Charles Michel addresses the current protests as well as the war in Ukraine but achieves few concrete concessions. Xi, on the other hand, does not want to see any "real strategic conflicts or differences".
By Amelie Richter
Amid protests against zero-Covid, the EU Council chief travels to China. The timing for the first personal handshake in years is problematic. For President Xi, however, the photo opportunity comes at just the right time, as the EU-US dialogue on China is being held in Washington at almost the same time. For Michel, however, a "mission impossible" awaits him in China.
By Amelie Richter
When it comes to solar technology, the world is dependent on supplies from China. But in the West, there are debates about human rights violations along the supply chain. The People's Republic now reacts by planning its own "clean" supply chains for exports. The West would still receive solar technology with a clear conscience but would remain dependent.
By Nico Beckert