An EU-China summit in Beijing wrapped up early on Thursday amid rising tensions, despite efforts to foster cooperation on trade, climate, and global stability.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Media and Think Tank Summit, being held from Wednesday to Sunday in Zhengzhou, Henan province, aims to strengthen dialogue, exchange experiences and contribute to the common prosperity and development of the Eurasian region.

China’s second-in-command Li Qiang had a self-deprecating response when confronted with criticism from a top European Union official that Beijing’s government subsidies played a role in contributing to global imbalances in manufacturing output and demand. The winning formula is working hard - perhaps too hard.

European leaders are meeting with top Chinese officials in Beijing to discuss trade, climate change and global conflicts.

BEIJING - China is a \"critical partner\" to Europe with a range of shared interests, state news agency Xinhua said in a commentary piece, downplaying Beijing's rivalry with the European Union bloc hours before a key summit between leaders of both sides on Thursday.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged the European Union to make “the right strategic choice” and enhance cooperation with China, while EU leaders called for a rebalancing of trade ties, as the two sides tackle deep-seated grievances at a tense summit in Beijing.