Xi hopes for Scholz in dispute with the EU
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the situation in the Middle East and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. This was announced by government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit following a video conference between the two. Following the meeting, Chinese state media reported that Xi had called on Scholz to urge the European Union to compete fairly with China.
With regard to the Middle East, "the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the current situation in the region" were discussed, explained Hebestreit. With regard to Ukraine, it was reaffirmed "that a nuclear war must not be waged and can never be won". The talks also covered bilateral relations and economic cooperation between China and Germany.
"China regards Europe as an important strategic partner and an important pole in a multipolar world," said Xi according to a report by CCTV. It is hoped that Germany will urge the EU to uphold the principles of market economy and fairness and work with China to ensure fair competition and free trade, Xi added.
"Example of win-win cooperation"
China and the EU are important trading partners, but European countries are increasingly trying to reduce their dependence on Beijing. At the beginning of October, the EU Commission launched a competition investigation into alleged anti-competitive subsidies for Chinese e-car manufacturers. China rejects these accusations.
In conversation with Scholz, the Chinese president emphasized that relations between China and the EU are linked to global stability and the prosperity of the Eurasian continent. They deserved "all efforts on both sides to maintain and develop them".
Beijing and Berlin are both "responsible major powers" that must develop bilateral relations well and "set an example of win-win cooperation", said Xi. Chancellor Scholz was the first head of government from the West to meet Chinese President Xi after he consolidated his sole rule at the Chinese Communist Party Congress last November.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to advocate for the EU to adhere to the principles of a market economy and fairness, aiming to establish fair competition and free trade between the EU and China.
- During the meeting, Xi highlighted the importance of Europe as a strategic partner for China and an essential pole in a multipolar world, emphasizing the necessity of both parties to make efforts to maintain and develop their relationship.
- In the face of growing efforts by European countries to decrease their dependence on China, Xi and Scholz discussed the case of alleged anti-competitive subsidies for Chinese electric car manufacturers by the EU Commission, with China refuting the accusations.
Source: www.ntv.de
