The visit of European Union foreign policy leader Josep Borrell to China has been cancelled, according to a European Union spokesman
The reason for the cancellation of the visit, which comes at a time when Europe is attempting to lessen the risks posed by its tight commercial ties with China, which Brussels refers to as a “economic competitor and systemic rival,” has not been disclosed.
“Unfortunately, we have been informed by our Chinese counterparts that the dates planned for next week are not possible, and we must now consider alternatives,” EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told Reuters.
A representative for the Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to comment on why his visit was cancelled, but did not rule out the potential that the European Union’s chief of diplomacy will visit the nation in the future.
“We welcome High Representative Borrell to visit China at the most convenient time for both sides,” Wang Wenbin, a spokeswoman for the US State Department, told reporters in Beijing.
Borrell had scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart to discuss “strategic issues” such as human rights and Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Borrell’s trip to China has been cancelled for the second time.
He was unable to travel to Beijing in April after testing positive for the coronavirus.