The war in Ukraine, the sound of Chinese boots in the Taiwan Strait and the non-respect of human rights in China – the head of German diplomacy Annalena Baerbock did not hesitate to mention all the thorny issues of the moment during his first visit to Beijing. She comes just a few days after President Emmanuel Macron and the head of the European Commission.
Beijing has successfully pushed for a peaceful balance between Iran and Saudi Arabia and should do the same for Ukraine, says Annalena Baerbock, as no country has more influence on Russia than China :
“ It is good that China has signaled its commitment to finding a solution. But I must openly say that I wonder why the Chinese position so far does not include a request to the Russian aggressor to stop the war “said Annalena Baerbock.
Frankly, the head of German diplomacy also mentioned the large-scale maneuvers that Beijing has launched near Taiwan: “ A military escalation in the Taiwan Strait through which 50% of world trade passes every day would be a disaster scenario for the whole world. »
“Taiwan belongs to China,” retorted Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, visibly irritated by the frankness of his European visitor. The French president had chosen not to mention the thorny Taiwanese file on the spot.
Annalena Baerbock did not overlook human rights either: I explained to my counterpart that we see with concern that the field of action of civil society in China is increasingly reduced and that human rights are restricted. »
Ella notably criticized the repression of Uyghurs and the imprisonment of many dissidents.
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