China's top diplomat tells E.U. not to 'vacillate'

EU must "clarify" strategic relationship with Beijing, Wang Yi urges. Germany plans to "de-risk" ties with China. E.U. leaders push to reduce reliance on Beijing.

The European Union must not "vacillate" and needs to "clarify" its strategic relationship with Beijing, top diplomat Wang Yi said during a meeting with E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Germany, Europe's leading economy on Thursday, announced plans to "de-risk" ties with China.

Other E.U. leaders, weary of China's growing assertiveness and cosy relationship with Russia, have pushed to reduce reliance on Beijing.

"The E.U. side should... clarify the positioning of the strategic partnership between the two sides, and promote China-EU relations to move forward," Mr. Wang told Mr. Borrell when they met on the sidelines of Southeast Asian talks in Jakarta on Friday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

"It should not vacillate, let alone encourage words and deeds that turn the clock back," Mr. Wang said.

Some E.U. member states worry about antagonising China and starting a trade war, while others argue now is the time to act to protect the bloc's economic security.

Brussels wants to define its own approach to Beijing that balances concerns over relying too much on China with maintaining ties with the world's second-largest economy.