The Chinese government 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. China’s role in relation to Ukraine is to promote reconciliation and advance peace negotiations. “We will not add more fuel to the fire,” Qin Gang said after the official translation.
China should act on Russia
Baerbock urged China to work harder than before with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war of aggression in Ukraine. President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow showed that no other country has more influence on Russia than China. “Deciding how it uses that influence affects Europe’s core interests very directly,” Baerbock said. Just as China has successfully committed itself to a peaceful settlement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, one wishes that China would influence Russia to finally end the aggression in Ukraine and to participate in a peaceful conflict resolution.
With the rights as a permanent member of the Security Council, China also has a special responsibility, warned Baerbock. It is good that China has signaled that it is committed to finding a solution, said the minister, referring to a position paper by Beijing on a political solution to 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.” It is just as crucial “not to allow arms deliveries to Russia, which would further prolong this aggression and also to prevent dual-use goods from being used for the war”.
China against foreign interference in Taiwan
At the meeting between Baerbock and her Chinese counterpart, Taiwan was also an issue in addition to the Ukraine war. China has protested against any foreign interference in Taiwan. Qin Gang said Taiwan is part of China and “does not allow outside intervention”. 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”.
Baerbock expressed her concern about the tensions around the democratic island republic. Destabilization would have major consequences, the foreign minister warned, noting that 50 percent of global trade passed through the Taiwan Straits. The “shock wave of this economic crisis” would also hit China. A military escalation around Taiwan would be a “horror scenario” for the entire world. “Conflicts can only be resolved peacefully.” 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.
