The relationship between China and Europe will be determined by Beijing's behaviour, including what happens with Taiwan, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Sunday.
The comments from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, in a remote address at the start of the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Japan, highlighted two of the themes that have come into focus ahead of the three-day gathering: the need for a united approach to China and concerns about Taiwan.
China is front and centre as the foreign ministers of the world's advanced democracies meet in the Japanese resort town of Karuizawa. The only Asian member of the grouping, Japan has deepening worries about neighbour China's growing might in the region and is particularly focused on the possibility of military action against Taiwan.
"Anything that happens in Taiwan Strait will mean a lot to us," Borrell said, stressing the need to engage with China and keep communications open.
He described China as a "partner, competitor and systemic rival" and said that which of those three relations the EU would lean towards "will be determined by China's behaviour."
