Beijing also seems willing to engage in diplomatic channels. China's US embassy confirmed last week that it is inviting foreign dignitaries — some of them American — to a September 3 ceremony in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to deepen ties with the European Union, the bloc's top official raised concerns over a growing trade imbalance, underscoring the strains beneath the diplomatic niceties. Chinese and EU leaders held a meeting Thursday as the 25th EU-China summit got underway.