The future of EU-China relations will largely depend on Beijing’s position on Russia’s war in Ukraine, commission head Ursula von der Leyen warned today, stressing, however, that it is in Europe’s interest to continue to maintain open channels of communication with Beijing.

The President of the European Commission will visit the Chinese capital next week together with French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit will take place two weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow.

“We have to be honest: how China continues to act in the face of Putin’s war will be a determining factor for the future of EU-EU relations. and China,” emphasized Ursula von der Leyen in her speech in Brussels.

China, which has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, proposed a “peace plan” in February to end the war, but the US and Europe remain wary of its ability to play a mediating role. Washington and the EU have repeatedly warned Beijing against supplying arms to Moscow.

“Instead of being upset about the brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, President Xi maintains a ‘limitless’ friendship with Putin’s Russia,” the European Commission President stressed.

“China has an obligation to play a constructive role in promoting a just world. But this world cannot be fair if it is not based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he continued.

“Any peace plan that confirms Russian annexation is simply not viable,” said Ursula von der Leyen, who traveled to Washington on March 10 to talk with President Biden.

The relationship between the EU and China is one of the “most complex and important” in the world, Ursula von der Leyen stressed in her speech. However, the relationship has gotten “more complicated” over the past few years, she added, regretting it.

“Our relationship is too important to jeopardize without setting the conditions for a healthy commitment,” he insisted.

But “China has become more autocratic at home and more aggressive abroad,” Ursula von der Leyen said, recalling that President Xi Jinping asked the Chinese to “prepare for battle.”

“The goal of the Chinese Communist Party is to change the international order with China at the center,” he said.

“We must not cut ourselves off from China, but we must reduce the risks,” he insisted.

“We need to prepare for a review of the most important stakes, and we need to adjust our strategy towards China depending on how the Chinese Communist Party develops,” concluded von der Leyen.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP, Reuters.