Germany and China have agreed refuse any use of nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday on a visit to Beijing after Russia repeatedly alluded to this threat.
“It was very important for me (…) to clearly state that an escalation” of the war “in the form of the use of a tactical nuclear weapon it should be excludedOlaf Scholz told the press. “And I’m happy that at least an agreement has been reached on this issue,” he added.
Scholz said he told Xi that “it is important for China to exert its influence over Russia.”
“President Xi and I agree that nuclear threats are irresponsible and very dangerous. By using nuclear weapons, Russia would cross a line that the international community has drawn jointly, “she said.
For its part, Chinese President Xi Jinping did a invite to peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and warned of the danger that the conflict could lead to a nuclear war.
A controversial visit
The German leader paid a one-day visit to China, a controversial trip that drew criticism for tacit support for Moscow, the ongoing controversy over economic ties between Berlin and Beijing, and in relation to the human rights situation in China.
It also comes after Xi cemented his authoritarian tenure as head of the ruling Communist Party at a congress last month.
Scholz’s journey reflects the importance of business relationships between Berlin and China, the second largest economy in the world, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors.
Mercedes Benz alone sold 758,863 cars in the Asian country last year, more than in any other country, according to company data.
The chancellor, who was accompanied by several German business executives, was formally received by Xijust re-elected for a new term.
Xi noted that Scholz’s visit comes like their own countries celebrate more than 50 years of diplomatic relationssince they revived economic exchanges, despite their rivalry during the Cold War, they remain a key part of their relationship to this day.
“Currently, the international situation is complex and changing,” Xi said in a comment released by the state broadcaster CCTV.
“As influential powers, China and Germany must work together in times of change and chaos make more contributions to world peace and development, “he added.
Regarding Ukraine, the Chinese president stressed that his country “supports Germany and the EU to play an important role in promoting peace talks and in promoting the construction of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework” .
The international community should “invite all parties involved to act rationally and with moderation, maintain direct contacts as soon as possible and create conditions for resuming negotiations (e) jointly oppose the use of nuclear weapons, ” Xi added.
Without providing any evidence, Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated the unproven accusation that Ukraine was preparing a radioactive attack with a dirty bomb that he allegedly tried to attribute to the Kremlin.
kyiv categorically denied the allegations. and their Western allies regard them as “transparently false”.
Scholz is the first G7 leader to meet Xi since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first of the European Union to visit China since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Berlin opposes.
Scholz also said he mentioned human rights and market access, telling Xi that any change in Taiwan’s self-governing state “can only happen. peacefully and by mutual agreement“.
China claims the island republic as its territory, which must be brought under its control by force if necessary.
The delicate diplomatic journey comes as Germany and the EU work on their strategy for a Beijing increasingly authoritarian.
Source: AP and AFP
Source: Clarin
