Her remarks were a significant departure from the assertive language she has used in recent years, and were not the result of consultation with others in the European Union’s China policymaking space.
Lu spent five years as ambassador to France where he became known for his abrasive style and propensity to fall out with his hosts. By the time he left Paris, he had been summoned seven times by the French foreign ministry over a series of high-profile rows and, according to people familiar with his case, had lost access to any of the relevant government organs.
The appointment has been seen in Brussels as a signal of Beijing’s future intentions for the relationship.
“Putting a consummate Wolf Warrior like Lu in the driver’s seat suggests Beijing may be preparing to get more assertive in its dealings with Brussels,” wrote analysts at Trivium, a consultancy on China.
