China ties important, EU chief says

Latest assessment

Ding Chun, director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University, said the speech reflects the EU's latest assessment, especially by the European Commission and von der Leyen on China's status and China-EU relations.

"It is a more positive speech by acknowledging China's importance in global politics, economy, security, climate change and global governance, that the EU should not look at China as black or white and that the EU opposes decoupling but de-risking," Ding said.

He said the speech also reflects some misunderstanding of China's relevant policy by the EU.

Lai Suetyi, associate professor in the Center for European Studies at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, said von der Leyen has clearly been spending time to learn more about China before her first China visit as commission president.

"And of course the actual trip itself will tell her even more," said Lai, adding that she hopes this trip would give von der Leyen a more accurate understanding of China.

Lai pointed out that the new concept of "de-risk" and "reassessing" the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment is noteworthy.