China has given assurances that it will not and will not provide weapons to Russia in the war against Ukraine. “We do not and will not deliver any weapons to parties to the conflict,” said Foreign Minister Qin Gang after almost two hours of talks with Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) in Beijing.
In addition, the export of so-called dual-use goods, which can be used for civil and military purposes, is controlled in accordance with the legal situation. Baerbock had previously urged the Chinese government to do more to end the war than before in Moscow.
During their initial visit, Baerbock and her Chinese colleague Qin Gang spent around two hours discussing the format of the German-Chinese strategic dialogue, which was almost twice as long as planned. They then appeared in public in a polite but uncompromising manner. When there were opposing positions, for example on the issue of human rights or the attitude towards Taiwan, there was no recognizable convergence. Qin Gang addressed statements by Baerbock in front of journalists several times.
Baerbock calls on Beijing to do more to end the war
Qin Gang stressed that China’s role on the Ukraine issue is to promote reconciliation and advance peace negotiations. “We will not continue to pour fuel on the fire,” he declared after the official translation.
Baerbock said President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow showed that no other country has more influence over Russia than China. “Deciding how it uses that influence touches Europe’s core interests very directly.” With the rights as a permanent member of the Security Council, China also has a special responsibility, she appealed to Beijing.
It is good that China has signaled that it is committed to a solution, said Baerbock, referring to a Beijing position paper on the Ukraine war that has been criticized in the West. “But I have to say openly that I wonder why the Chinese position so far hasn’t called on the aggressor Russia to stop the war. We all know that President Putin could do this at any time.”
Baerbock: Escalation around Taiwan “horror scenario”
Baerbock called a military escalation around the democratic island republic of Taiwan, which is claimed by China, a “horror scenario” for the world. 50 percent of global trade passed through the Taiwan Straits. The “shock wave of this economic crisis” would also hit China. “Conflicts can only be resolved peacefully,” she warned. Baerbock reiterated Germany’s one-China policy, according to which Beijing is recognized as China’s only legitimate government and no diplomatic relations are maintained with Taiwan. However, Baerbock emphasized that a violent change in the status quo was unacceptable.
Qin Gang protested against any foreign interference. Taiwan is part of China, so no outside intervention is allowed. If other states “really respect” the one China principle, they should oppose separatist activities in Taiwan. The “original root of the problems” are the independence movements. China will “not give up any customs territory”.
China regards Taiwan, which has a population of 23 million, as part of the People’s Republic and is threatening to conquer it. The island has had an independent government for more than 70 years. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, concerns are growing that China could take similar action against Taiwan. This could escalate into a dispute with the US.
Qin Gang on Human Rights: Don’t need teachers
After Baerbock had expressed her concern that the freedom for civil society and human rights in China would be curtailed, Qin Gang protested against criticism in a long previous day. “What China needs least is a teacher from the West.” Each state has its own circumstances and cultural and historical background. When it comes to human rights, there are “no uniform standards in the world”.
Baerbock countered that there are indeed common standards for human rights in the world and recalled the UN Charter and the UN Human Rights Convention. It contains universal human rights to which all UN members are bound.
China’s foreign minister responded to allegations of the persecution of the Muslim Uyghurs in the north-west region of Xinjiang, in particular, that it was not about human rights, but about the fight against radicalism and separatism. There are anti-Chinese forces abroad that are using the Xinjiang issue to curb China’s rise.
Large station for Baerbock in China
The Chinese leadership gave Baerbock, who in Beijing is considered particularly critical of China within the German government, a friendly welcome overall. At the first stop of her visit in the port city of Tianjin, she met party leader Chen Min’er, who, as a member of the Politburo, is a heavyweight in the leadership. The Foreign Minister was also received in Beijing by Vice President Han Zheng.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang also went to Tianjin – 120 kilometers from the capital – to visit a German electromobility company with Baerbock on Friday morning. The minister himself comes from the economic metropolis. Vitesco, based in Regensburg, Bavaria, has been producing fully integrated electric axle drives in Tianjin since 2019. The group has been operating a research and development center there since November 2021.
Baerbock and her colleague then took the high-speed train to Beijing at a speed of up to 350 kilometers per hour. For example, she was able to pull up with her delegation directly onto the platform for the express train. When they arrived at Beijing South Station, the convoy was already waiting on the platform.
