26 June

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States and European Union will launch a new formal dialogue on China.

Pompeo said in an online event hosted by a think-tank on Thursday that he had accepted a proposal for the dialogue from the EU.

He added that the senior officials will discuss concerns over China's threat to the West. He also said that the dialogue would kick off in several weeks, and that he plans to travel to Europe.

The secretary of state said that the common issue is how to preserve freedom and democracy. He said that the US and EU can begin to take action by sharing the understanding of the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

The EU has been working with China on measures against global warming. But the coronavirus outbreak and China's attempts to step up control over Hong Kong are causing concerns in the EU.

NHK