DistantNews
Support us
EU-China digital talks postponed as trade tensions rise
🇨🇳 China /Economy & Trade

EU-China digital talks postponed as trade tensions rise

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • An EU-China dialogue on digital matters, scheduled for June 23 in Beijing, has been postponed indefinitely.
  • The cancellation follows a report that Beijing abruptly called off the talks amid deteriorating bilateral ties.
  • The EU's diplomatic arm confirmed communication is ongoing, but no new date has been set for the postponed meeting.

A planned EU-China dialogue on digital matters, initially set for June 23 in Beijing, has been postponed, with no new date immediately available. The cancellation comes as tensions between the European Union and China escalate on a near-daily basis.

The Financial Times reported that Beijing abruptly canceled the talks, along with a separate meeting involving a senior EU official. Olof Skoog, deputy secretary general of the EU's External Action Service, was expected to visit the Chinese capital to prepare for a potential visit by top diplomat Kaja Kallas later this year. Skoog's trip was part of a series of preparatory visits.

Despite the postponement, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, stated on Thursday that both sides are maintaining communication regarding the dialogue. However, the lack of a rescheduled date and the backdrop of deteriorating bilateral ties cast uncertainty over the future of these discussions.

As far as we know, both sides are keeping communications regarding the relevant dialogue.

— Lin JianChinese foreign ministry spokesman, speaking at a regular press briefing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog