Xi's balancing act

China tests EU cohesion on Ukraine and trade

Trade and Ukraine were on top of the agenda during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe in five years, but reaching a closer understanding on either issue appeared elusive. As with the hectic diplomacy between Washington and Beijing over the past year and a half, Mr Xi’s six-day visit appeared to achieve little more than emphasise each side’s agenda and further engagement; if anything, his three-country itinerary, which included Hungary and Serbia, appeared to test the cohesion of Europe. Coming close after the visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to China last month, the main item on the