Amid Peak US-China Tensions, Yang Jiechi Visits Three European Countries

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As US-China tensions reach their peak, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for foreign affairs, will visit three European countries next week.

This comes right after Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, completed visits to five European countries. Amid escalating US-China tensions, it appears that senior Chinese diplomatic officials are consecutively visiting Europe to discuss cooperative relations and other matters.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing sources, reported on the 28th (local time) that Yang Jiechi will visit three countries: Greece, Spain, and one other.

SCMP interpreted the visits by senior Chinese diplomatic officials to Europe as an effort to "affirm China as a strategic partner."

Earlier, Wang Yi visited five countries including Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, France, and Germany, emphasizing the ties between China and Europe.

SCMP explained that Yang Jiechi’s upcoming visits to these three European countries are part of this effort.

In particular, SCMP reported that a major purpose of Yang Jiechi’s visit is to prepare for the special video summit scheduled for mid-September between President Xi Jinping and the European Union (EU).

Last week, Yang Jiechi visited South Korea to explain China’s position on US-China tensions. Considering that they also discussed joint responses to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and bilateral cooperation, it is expected that Yang will convey China’s stance during this European visit as well.

Mikko Huotari, director of the Mercator Institute for China Studies, a European think tank, said, "Visits by the Chinese Foreign Minister and a Political Bureau member to Europe are unprecedented," adding, "The timing suggests it is to affirm Europe as a strategic partner of China."

SCMP added that Chinese state-owned investors are showing interest in the port facilities of the three countries Yang Jiechi will visit.

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