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Josep Borrell holds a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, USA, September 20, 2021. REUTERS / David ‘Dee’ Delgado
September 28 (Reuters) – The European Union and China must continue to engage on a number of issues despite their differences, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday during a video call, according to an EU statement.
“The High Representative noted that although disagreements persisted, the EU and China must continue to engage intensively in a number of important areas,” the EU said, adding that Borrell had underlined the character inclusive and cooperative of the Indo-Pacific strategy of Europe.
The EU takes a softer stance towards China, one of its most important trading partners, than the US which has concluded a new security agreement (AUKUS) with Britain and Australia, widely seen as designed to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific. .
But critics said the deal undermined US President Joe Biden’s broader efforts to rally allies such as France to the cause after Australia scrapped a submarine deal with Paris to buy submarines. American submarines, infuriating France. Read more
In a nod to the latest attempt to restore transatlantic ties, Borrell, according to a spokesperson, welcomed a joint statement by Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron in which they agreed to talks to restore confidence after the dispute submarine.
Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Cynthia Osterman
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