Chinese state-run media issued a warning to Europe on Sunday, calling for a "revolution" ahead of an upcoming summit between Chinese and European Union (EU) leadership.
Members of the EU are set to meet with authorities from Beijing next month for the first EU-China summit in more than a year as relations between the two entities remain strained. Tensions have grown as China backs Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine is a non-EU nation that has nonetheless received support from the alliance and has become a candidate for membership. Reuters reported that the summit may be held around December 7 and 8, though the exact date remains unclear.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the goal of the summit is to establish an even playing field in trade between Europe and China, Reuters reported. EU leaders are expected to raise concerns about Beijing's alleged market distortions, and von der Leyen has vowed to "leave space for a discussion on a more ambitious relationship that benefits both of sides."
Ahead of the meeting, China issued a warning to EU leadership in an editorial published Sunday night in the Global Times, a nationalistic English-language tabloid published by the propaganda department of the ruling Communist Party, that offers insight into how Beijing views the upcoming meeting.
Europe should focus on internal strife, including the rise of several "far-right" governments, rather than emphasizing the "uncertainty of the world," the editorial claims.
Several right-wing political parties have seen success in European elections in recent years fueled by economic and immigration concerns. In the Netherlands, the right-wing Freedom Party led by Geert Wilders won a surprise victory in last week's elections. Last October, right-wing party Brothers for Italy, led by Giorgia Meloni, rose to victory in Italy. And the Alternative for Germany party has risen in polls in Germany, a stark warning to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrat Party.
China believes the rise of these right-wing parties threatens to shake up how the EU deals with the rest of the world. The Global Times, whose views do not always reflect official policy in China, warned these parties will likely strengthen Euroscepticism, or criticism against the EU.
"Internal issues within the EU have made them somewhat flustered when facing global issues. European media outlets are discussing the need to readjust their policies toward Turkey and reassess their policies toward the Middle East. There is no clear direction on how to deal with the rise of China," the editorial reads.
The editorial also claims Europe is facing several challenges, including a lack of governing ability and a "lack of clear self-positioning." Europe needs a "revolution" to deal with these challenges, the editorial states.
"Europe needs a revolution of spirit. The immediate priority of this revolution is to have a precise understanding of its own position and not to remain wallow in its past glory and arrogance. Only by knowing its own position can Europe determine what it should do, what needs to be done and what it can achieve," the editorial board wrote.
Newsweek reached out to the European Union for comment via email.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
