A visit by European Union Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič to Beijing has concluded with the second meeting within the framework of EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations. The talks were held with China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. Šefčovič thanked the Chinese side for organizing the meeting and the constructive dialogue. According to him, the consultations covered a wide range of topics, including the state of bilateral trade, the investment climate, market access issues, and the removal of trade barriers. The EU and China remain major trading partners, though in recent years relations have been strained by disputes over subsidies, excess production capacity, and restrictions on exports of certain goods, including rare earth metals and technologies. Consultations in this format are intended to reduce tensions and find common ground on contentious issues. The European side emphasized the importance of continuing regular dialogue to ensure predictability in trade relations and protect the interests of European business. European Commission representatives noted that such meetings allow for more detailed discussions of technical and regulatory aspects of cooperation, which are difficult to resolve at the level of one-off contacts. Official details of the meeting's outcomes and any agreements reached are expected to be presented later by the parties. The consultations between the EU and China are expected to continue on a regular basis as part of efforts to build more balanced economic relations between the world's two largest trading blocs.