Although the agenda of the meeting is still dominated by Britain's withdrawal from Europe, it will discuss its policy towards China for the first time in many years. In addition to the meeting, the EU will hold a series of high-level meetings, followed by visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Italy and France, and a summit between the EU and China on April 9.
The increasing frequency of EU diplomatic activities, including the formation of special commissions by special envoys, experts and foreign ministers, marks a new comprehensive reassessment of China-EU relations. Prior to this, China-EU trade has experienced decades of growth, and the EU has a good opinion of China, in sharp contrast to the eager attack of the United States.
The EU's attitude towards China has shifted from optimism to frustration because of China's slow action in opening up the economy, a surge in Chinese acquisitions in key areas of the EU, pressure from the United States to guard against possible Chinese espionage, and the EU believes that Beijing has failed to fulfil its commitment to free trade and globalization.
Four senior EU diplomats and officials close to China say they are losing hope on some long-standing business issues, including a special treaty consultation aimed at increasing investment flows that has been going on for nearly 10 years.
"The Chinese are all right, but when it comes to making a decision, they put it off again and again," said a senior EU official. He referred to China's failure to finalize an agreement by the October deadline to recognize the European Union's food name protection system.
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