EU Chief Calls on China to Pressure Iran Over Weapons Sales

Chinese President Xi Jinping, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hold a trilateral meeting as part of the Chinese president's two-day state visit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 6, 2024. Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL / AFP

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a direct appeal to visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping to help curb Iranian weapons sales in the Middle East.

“We believe that China can play an important role in limiting the irresponsible proliferation of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones,”  von der Leyen said after three-way talks with Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.