The German Chancellor, whose meeting, Friday, November 4, with President Xi Jinping was criticized both by his European partners and within his government, made his difference heard.
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The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, took advantage of his first visit to Beijing on Friday, November 4, to send several messages to his two Chinese interlocutors, the president, Xi Jinping, and the Prime Minister, Li Keqiang, in particular to About the war in Ukraine, Taiwan and Human Rights. Controversial in Europe, including in the German government, this trip of a few hours in China was the first of a leader of the European Union and the G7 in the country since the start of the pandemic, there are almost three years.
On Ukraine, the German leader said he told Xi Jinping that China, as a “big country” and member of the United Nations Security Council, “had to exercise its influence on Russia”. “The war in Ukraine creates a dangerous situation for the whole world (…) and, in China too, we know that an escalation would have consequences for everyone, told Mr. Scholz to the press. This is reason For which it was very important for me to say clearly that an escalation in the form of the use of a tactical nuclear weapon was excluded, and I am very happy that on this subject at least, an agreement was reached. ”
In fact, the press release published by China following these interviews indicates that, for Mr. XI, “the international community (…) must oppose the threat and the use of nuclear weapons together “. On the other hand, Beijing does not seem to have the intention of putting pressure on Moscow. “China supports the efforts of Germany and Europe to play an important role in promoting peace talks,” said the Chinese press release only. Nothing therefore shows that China wishes to engage in the resolution of the conflict. 2> “increasing concern” for Taiwan
On the other disputed subjects, such as Taiwan’s fate, nothing says that the points of view have come closer. “I mentioned today our growing concern for stability and peace in the region. China has a particular responsibility in this regard,” said the Chancellor. In his eyes, the status of the island “can only be modified peacefully and by mutual agreement”.
Accused by several European countries of making “rider alone” and of defending only German interests against China, Olaf Scholz indirectly supported Lithuania, boycotted by Beijing for his support for Taiwan. “Economic measures against Member States [of the European Union] are directed against the entire single market and sanctions against European deputies are not acceptable to us,” he said, evoking the measures Taken by China against deputies in March 2021, in the aftermath of sanctions decided by Brussels against Chinese officials practicing in Xinjiang, the region which houses the Uighur minority, victim of repression.
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