EU presses China on rare earths and Ukraine war

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EUs top diplomat Kaja Kallas (right) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels on July 2.

PHOTO: EPA

BRUSSELS - The European Unions top diplomat urged Chinas foreign minister on July 2 to end restrictions on rare earths exports and warned that Chinese firms support for Russias war in Ukraine posed a serious threat to European security, the EU said.

The statement from the EUs diplomatic service came after Ms Kaja Kallas, the blocs high representative for foreign policy, met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brussels.

Ms Kallas “called on China to put an end to its distortive practices, including its restrictions on rare earths exports, which pose significant risks to European companies and endanger the reliability of global supply chains”, the EU said.

On trade, Ms Kallas urged concrete solutions to rebalance the economic relationship, level the playing field and improve reciprocity in market access.

She also highlighted the serious threat Chinese companies support for Russia’s illegal war poses to European security.

China says it does not provide military support to Russia for the war in Ukraine. But European officials say Chinese companies provide many of the vital components for Russian drones and other weapons used in Ukraine.

Ms Kallas called on China to immediately cease all material support that sustains Russia’s military industrial complex and support a full and unconditional ceasefire and a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The July 2 discussions were to lay the groundwork for a summit between EU and Chinese leaders later in July.

Mr Wang also met earlier