The European Union will briefly put aside worries about Greece to broaden its relations with China at a summit in Brussels on Monday, hoping for Chinese investment in Europe's new infrastructure fund and support for a global climate deal.
As China seeks to move Sino-European ties beyond trade and win a bigger role in international affairs, the European Union is relieved to find a more cooperative partner, agreeing to play down tensions that have bedevilled relations in the past.
"This meeting will send a positive signal that China and the EU can push growth through reform and innovation," said Chinese Deputy Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen before the first summit between Premier Li Keqiang and the new heads of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the European Council of EU leaders, Donald Tusk.