EU, China look to ease tensions, push on with business

BRUSSELS (AP) — Top European Union officials are holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, aiming to boost economic ties and ease tensions over the fallout from the coronavirus crisis and Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong. European Council President Charles Michel, EU commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, will hold two video conferences separately, firstly with the premier and later with Xi. The meetings are not expected to produce concrete results, and no joint statement will be issued. But the Europeans hope it will help accelerate talks on an investment agreement and build common ground for tackling thorny political issues at face to face talks, possibly later this year.