Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who are in China for the 25th China-EU Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Two of the world’s biggest polluters want to combat climate change — but neither wants to give an inch while doing it.

E.U. leaders are in Beijing to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations with China, but they have major disagreements over trade and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

A joint statement promised new efforts to cut emissions at a time when China is positioning itself as the world’s one-stop shop for clean energy technologies.

China is not as rich as Europe, and we can’t afford it,” said Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China and the EU have achieved mutual success with practical cooperation, delivering benefits to people on both sides. With deeper high-level opening-up, China places greater emphasis on meeting the growing needs of its people for a better life,