Chinese leader takes reconciliatory line in talks with EU council president
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on December 1 2022. Picture: EUROPEAN UNION/HANDOUT via REUTERS
Michel told Xi that the EU counted on China “to contribute to ending Russia’s brutal destruction and occupation”, according to a statement from Michel’s spokesperson. Both leaders “stressed that nuclear threats are irresponsible and highly dangerous” during their roughly three hours of discussions, it added.
China has refrained from criticising Russia over the war in Ukraine, blaming the expansion of Nato for Moscow’s actions. China signed off on a communique at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia in November that said “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine”, but continues to refrain from calling it a war.
The statement from Michel’s spokesperson said he told Xi about “difficulties faced by EU companies and investors, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic”. The statement did not mention protests that broke out recently in China against the nation’s strict Covid rules. The deal is “good for China, Europe and the world,” Shu Jueting, spokesperson of the ministry of commerce in Beijing, said at a press briefing. “China and Europe should work together to push for signing and entering the agreement into force so that it can benefit companies and the public on both sides soon.”
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