China snubs Europe's top diplomat by cancelling his planned trip

China has canceled a trip to Beijing by European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell scheduled for next week.

An EU spokesperson announced the cancellation of the trip on Tuesday without citing any reason for the move.

European states have been seeking to reduce tensions with China as they fear damaging their close economic relationship with Beijing by imposing sanctions against Russia over its war with Ukraine.

"Unfortunately, we were informed by the Chinese counterparts that the envisaged dates next week are no longer possible and we must now look for alternatives," EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali wrote to Reuters news agency.

The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request by Reuters for comment.

Borrell was due to visit Beijing on July 10 to meet his Chinese counterpart and discuss "strategic issues", the EU's ambassador to China said on Sunday.

Ambassador Jorge Toledo had told the World Peace Forum in Beijing on Sunday that China and Europe are likely to hold two in-person dialogues in September, one on the economy and trade and another on digital matters, before a leaders' summit at the end of the year.

"We want to engage with China but we need progress and we need it this year," Toledo said.

This is the second time this year that Borrell's trip was canceled. He could not go in April after testing positive for COVID-19.

SS