On December 30, 2020, the EU and China reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive agreement on investment. The agreement is on hold, but Mr Xi indicated he would like a “more comprehensive framework” to Mr Martin during Monday’s meeting. This was further underlined by the level of the meetings Mr Martin has had in Beijing. Not only did he meet Mr Xi and General Zhao, yesterday he was received with a military reception ahead of a state banquet by premier Li Qiang. Asked afterwards if he was in any way suspicious of the Chinese motives, Mr Martin accepted that countries “all have our interests”.

Source: Irish Examiner January 06, 2026 17:10 UTC