China has canceled two high-level meetings with the European Union scheduled for this month, the Financial Times reports.
According to the newspaper, Beijing pulled out of two diplomatic dialogues at the last minute amid growing disagreements with Brussels. The meetings in question were a ministerial-level dialogue on digital issues in Beijing and a separate dialogue involving Olof Skoog, the deputy head of the EU’s diplomatic service.
Financial Times sources said the Chinese side gave no official explanation. But according to people familiar with the matter, such cancellations are often used in diplomacy as a signal of political displeasure.
Relations between the EU and China have become more strained in recent months over trade disputes, restrictions on Chinese exports and discussions of new European measures in industrial and technology policy.
One point of contention is the EU’s proposed Industrial Acceleration Act. Beijing has strongly opposed the measure because it would impose restrictions on certain Chinese goods in public procurement and introduce safeguards against the takeover of European companies.
The European Commission also recently presented an update to cybersecurity legislation. It would envisage excluding Chinese companies, including Huawei, from telecommunications networks and energy infrastructure, including solar-power systems.
The European Commission said the canceled meetings were “in the process of being rescheduled.”
“Engagement and dialogue between the EU and China continue at various levels,” the statement said. It also mentioned a June 9 meeting in Brussels between Director-General for Trade Ditte Juul Jørgensen and Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Ling Ji.