Trusted news agencies tracing tendencies of democratisation and autocratisation globally

EU seals trade deal as EU Council raised human rights issues in China

The EU and China have reached a new trade deal concerning Chinese exports of rare earth minerals, which have been a key sticking points in ties between the two. Another sticking point was raised by EU Council President Antonion Costa: human rights concerns in China.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, left, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, walk before the EU-China Summit in the Great Hall of the People. Costa raised human rights concerns with China during the summit. (Mahesh Kumar A./AP Pool/AP/dpa) (Photo: Mahesh Kumar A.)
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, left, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, walk before the EU-China Summit in the Great Hall of the People. Costa raised human rights concerns with China during the summit. (Mahesh Kumar A./AP Pool/AP/dpa) (Photo: Mahesh Kumar A.)

Beijing (AFP) - European Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday the bloc had raised human rights concerns with Chinese officials during a summit in Beijing.

"Protecting human rights is a central pillar of the European Union's engagement with other countries, including with China... today, we reiterated our concerns, and we will continue engaging on this important topic," he told at a press conference.

At the same press  conference European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that the bloc had agreed with Beijing to an "upgraded" mechanism for Chinese exports of rare earth minerals, a key sticking point in ties.

However, she also stressed hat China's ties with Russia would be the "determining factor" in relations between the bloc and Beijing.

"How China continues to interact with Putin more will be a determining factor of our relations going forward," von der Leyen said, referring to the Russian president.