EU vows to shield itself from Chinese security threats, Michel says FILE PHOTO: European Council President Charles Michel speaks during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France June 9, 2021. Julien Warnand/Pool via REUTERS reuters_tickers This content was published on June 10, 2021 - 08:33 June 10, 2021 - 08:33 BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday that the European Union was ready to stand up to aggressive actions by China and Russia, offering support to U.S. President Joe Biden on his first European tour. "We will defend ourselves against practices that pose security risks," Michel told an online news conference before joining the G7 summit in Britain, saying Beijing was a systemic rival and also a partner.