Beijing and Brussels seek common areas of interests

Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Brussels for the annual China-EU Summit on April 9 comes soon after the European Union described China as a "systemic rival" and President Xi Jinping called for greater trust between the two sides.

The "rival" tag comes because the EU has faced criticism that it is not doing enough to protect European businesses dealing with China. European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker, too, have complained that Beijing has not responded to their requests for creating a level playing field for foreign and domestic enterprises in China.

This lack of reciprocity has pushed the EU to take a tougher stance in its trade relations with China. There will soon be a screening process in place for Chinese foreign direct investment in Europe, there will be pressure on China to stop or reduce its industrial subsidies, and there could be restrictions on the procurement front.