On 25 September, High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. They discussed the current geopolitical situation, focusing on the main challenges and threats facing the EU and China.
The HR/VP raised concerns about Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, emphasising that China’s ongoing material and diplomatic support to Russia is fueling the conflict and posing a direct threat to European security. He also expressed deep concern about China’s increasing exports of large amounts of dual-use goods and items, significantly contributing to Russia’s military-industrial base. The HR/VP emphasised the importance of any proposal for a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter and expressed that the joint statement with Brazil of May 2024 does not align with this direction.
Additionally, the HR/VP and Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation in the South China Sea and recent actions by the Chinese Coast Guard. The HR/VP called for de-escalating tensions and reiterated the importance of upholding and respecting the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at all times.
Lastly, they discussed the ongoing escalation in hostilities in the Middle East. They reiterated their shared commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution.
