The Nikkei Asian Review (March 16) said the European Union will revise its official approach to China in summit meetings here next week, after its executive body named Beijing a "systemic rival" and outlined 10 suggested points of action on China, including ensuring security for the fifth generation of mobile networks and thoroughly screening foreign direct investment in the EU in a memo on March 12. The European Council is to jump-start discussions on March 21-22. The memo described Beijing as "an economic competitor in the pursuit of technological leadership, and a systemic rival promoting alternate models of governance." The memo also called for China to work with the EU toward reforming the World Trade Organization. Germany and France have shown particular caution toward Chinese companies' growing investments in infrastructure and high-tech industries in the EU. But countries in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe are hoping for Chinese funding.

Meanwhile, Beijing is deepening cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe through regular "16+1" summits with a group of 16 EU members and Balkan states. Italy, a core EU member, has expressed an openness to signing onto China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. The U.S. has asked EU members to bar Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies from participating in building 5G infrastructure due to security concerns. Though the European Commission memo did not mention Huawei by name, it warned that foreign involvement in "supply of critical equipment can pose risks to the EU's security," especially in 5G networks "that will be essential for our future."