The EU's top foreign policy official, Kaja Kallas, issued a sharp warning to Beijing not to undermine Europe's security.

“China is not our adversary, but our relations are under growing strain in the security field,” Kallas said before meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“Chinese companies are Moscow's lifeline, supporting the war against Ukraine. Beijing is conducting cyberattacks, interfering in our democracies, and trading unfairly. These actions harm European security and jobs,” she added.

Wang's visit to Brussels — after which he will travel to Berlin and Paris — comes about three weeks before the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and leading EU representatives in Beijing.

While US President Donald Trump has shaken up the major trading powers with a tariff war, the EU has opened the door to improving relations with China.

Instead, however, trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing have deepened over allegations of unfair trade practices.

The 27-member bloc continues to condemn the flow of vital technologies that reach the Russian military via China.

“Allowing war in Europe while seeking closer ties with Europe is a contradiction that Beijing must resolve. In an unstable world, Beijing must use its growing power to support international law,” Callas added.

In an attempt to exert pressure, the EU has banned trade with a number of Chinese companies accused of supporting Moscow's military actions.

However, European representatives acknowledge that they have failed to change Beijing's view of its strategic partnership with Moscow. | BGNES, AFP