“China is now more a competitor and a systemic rival: Our dependencies toward China in the key sectors are our vulnerability,” Kaja Kallas emphasized.
Stressing the need for China to bear a “higher cost” for supporting Russia in its war efforts, the European Union’s foreign policy chief-designate, Kaja Kallas, made a bold statement on Nov. 12.
Despite having the power to reject the European Commissioners-designate, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were expected to approve Kallas without issue.
During the confirmation hearing, Kallas discussed various global issues, including conflicts in Ukraine, the EU’s approach to the upcoming Trump administration, and strategies for countering China’s influence in Africa.
Kallas pointed out the structural imbalances between Brussels and Beijing that lead to unfair competition, as well as China’s support of Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, as the two pressing issues in engaging with China.
Kallas highlighted the competitive and rival aspects of the EU-China relationship, focusing on the vulnerabilities created by dependencies on China in key sectors.
“China and Russia are weaponizing interdependencies and exploiting the openness of our societies against us. We must be aware of the threat and respond accordingly, in collaboration with our allies and partners,” Kallas stated.
When questioned about the EU’s response to collaboration between authoritarian states, Kallas emphasized the need to show that such actions have consequences.
“China’s support for Russia, for example, should come with a higher cost for China,” she stated.
Can you please rewrite this sentence?
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