Leaders from China and the European Union are now meeting at a summit in Beijing to mark 50 years of historic ties. Expectations were low after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling over its format, with the duration abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing's request.

The European Union and China celebrated 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations at a high-profile summit in Beijing on Thursday. But many contentious issues dampened the festive mood.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday called for the European Union's trade relationship with China to become more balanced. "For trade to remain mutual beneficial it must become more balanced," she said, speaking at a press conference at the 25th EU-China summit.