EU foreign policy chief 'welcome' in China, says Beijing after trip called off

ISTANBUL

A day after a scheduled trip by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to China was canceled, Beijing said on Wednesday that he was "welcome" in the country.

"China prioritizes its relations with the EU and maintains extensive exchanges at all levels and in various domains," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing, according to Chinese daily Global Times.

The announcement came after Brussels said China scrapped Borrell's scheduled visit to Beijing next week.

"Unfortunately, we were informed by the Chinese counterparts that the envisaged dates next week are no longer possible and we must now look for alternatives," EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said Tuesday.

The senior EU official had been expected to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang during the visit. He had previously had to postpone an earlier planned trip in April due to a reported COVID-19 infection.

The cancellation came after EU leaders approved a strategy to reduce the bloc's reliance on China for essential technology and components.