On Friday, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued his strongest condemnation yet of Vladimir Putin’s military campaign in Ukraine, cautioning the Russian president against employing nuclear armaments and urging German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was visiting at the time, to advocate for diplomatic negotiations. TAIPEI —
In the Eastern region, Ukrainian troops had astonished the Kremlin with their progress against intruders, indicating the extent to which Putin menaced Ukraine with a nuclear strike shortly after Xi’s cautionary statement.
Xi emphasized that to avert a potential nuclear catastrophe in Europe or Asia, it is imperative for the global community to promote the notion that nuclear weapons must not be employed and a nuclear conflict must not be initiated. As per a declaration conveyed by Xinhua, the official news agency of China, the international society must “collectively denounce the utilization or intimidation of nuclear weapons.”
“Could the Chinese leader, who recently obtained an unprecedented third term in office, play a crucial role in advocating for peace and promoting negotiations in Germany and Europe?”
Xi also urged for “enhancing the humanitarian condition” in the conflict zones, particularly amidst the winter season.
In order to support the export of Chinese grain, instead of his premier promoting Ukrainian grain exports, he helped alleviate the food crisis, thereby facilitating the U.N. Agreement to respect Putin’s decision to not mention any opposition. Notably, Western countries and Ukraine demanded Russia’s withdrawal, and they specifically turned to Putin, who was referred to as their best friend and a leader still admired by the Chinese, before the war started.
This bluff is not a bluff. Without a doubt, we will utilize all our available weapons resources to defend our people and Russia. After Putin raised the notion of nuclear weapons, he undoubtedly escalated the situation. In September, Putin publicly acknowledged for the first time that Xi had concerns and questions about the war.
Li Keqiang, the departing Prime Minister of China, stated during a press briefing, “We are unable to bear the burden of any additional intensification.” Li expressed, pointing towards Scholz who was positioned beside him, “Both of us … Aspire for the resolution of this crisis in the near future.”
Scholz wants business
Scholz, who has endured weeks of backlash for aligning too closely with Beijing, received widespread praise for Xi’s demonstration of resistance against Putin’s nuclear warnings, seen as a significant triumph in diplomacy.
President Xi emphasized the importance of China exerting its influence on Russia to reporters, stating, “We have agreed that it is dangerous and irresponsible to launch nuclear attacks that threaten.”
Recently, a Chinese state-owned company was approved to acquire a strategically important port terminal in Hamburg. Additionally, Scholz brought a delegation of prominent businesses with him.
During his meeting with Xi, Mayor Scholz recalled his earlier career as the mayor of Hamburg while urging to deepen trade ties with Germany, the biggest economy in the EU. Indeed, his opening remarks emphasized the importance of strengthening economic relations.
Collaboration on addressing climate change and preventing diseases, and promised outcomes called Scholz, in addition to an agreement for non-Chinese residents, rather than local Chinese individuals, to receive BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses in China.
Taiwan tensions
Scholz mentioned the increasing strain between the Taiwan Strait before the press conference concluded without any queries from journalists.
He stated that he additionally brought up the matter of the violations of human rights against China’s Muslim minority in Xinjiang, affirming that any alteration to the present state of affairs in Taiwan can solely occur via mutual consensus and in a nonviolent manner.
“When the Baltic nation sought stronger connections with Taiwan, Scholz hinted at Beijing’s economic pressure on Lithuania, stating: “It is crucial to emphasize that economic actions targeting specific EU member states affect the entire EU domestic market, and we also find sanctions against EU parliamentarians unacceptable,”.
While Scholz didn’t play up the focus on trade during his trip, he made sure to send a clear message to German businesses that China considers EU-China relations to be a major source of instability.
Germany’s Premier Li told reporters at a press conference that they support a stable and sound relationship with a multipolar world, where they want free trade and meeting on an equal footing. Li also mentioned that they are prepared to continue assisting Germany in accessing their market.