The two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of simmering tension over a U.S. trade tariffs offensive.

Xi Jinping skips BRICS Summit for the first time amid speculation of political turbulence in China and divisions between member nations over trade and strategic interests

"The EU and China are broadly on a colliding trajectory in terms of their trade and industrial policy concerns," he told CNBC. Bones of contention include the challenge of China's overcapacity and trade diversion to Europe, Stec, who is also head of the Mercator Institute's Brussels office, explained.

Every Friday, we recap highlights of the news from China. This week, we are flagging some hurdles ahead of an EU summit in Beijing, and the anticipation before the release of important economic data.

The White House is hosting an “African leaders” summit of sorts this week. But only five countries from the continent of more than 50 nations are welcome to join.

The Chinese government intends to cancel part of a two-day summit with European Union leaders planned for later this month in the latest signs of the tensions between Brussels and Beijing.

China urged Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their border dispute through friendly dialogue, offering to play a constructive role by upholding an "objective and fair" position, its foreign ministry said.

The so-called Hague group singles out Israel as benefiting from an "exceptionalism" in the application of international law and aims to 'enact concrete measures' over Gaza

China hopes the European Union would make fewer accusations, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday in a retort to EU criticism that European firms had limited access to the Chinese market.