(VOVWORLD) - China is both the EU’s commercial partner and a rival, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market said on Monday ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s three-day visit to China starting Wednesday.
 EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Thierry Breton said the two leader’s visit along with a delegation of CEOs to China is meant to show European unity especially on economic issues.
Europe's main position is to minimize risks in relations with China, Breton said, adding that China is still an important market for many European companies and the EU internal market is a crucial market to China.
If Europe has to limit or close its markets for some reason, China's growth rate can drop to a catastrophic level, noted.
Breton said Chinese President Xi Jinping has a great influence on untying the knot of the Ukraine crisis. The 12-point plan proposed by China to bring the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to an end covers broad issues, he said.