How do you get China to get Russia to back down on the Ukraine war? Chancellor Scholz is trying his best in Beijing, but is not getting any concrete promises.
China and Germany want to advance efforts for peace in Ukraine together in the future. However, what the path to an end to the Russian war of aggression might look like remains unclear at the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing.
Scholz was unable to persuade Xi to agree to Chinese participation in the Swiss peace conference planned for June. However, the two agreed to coordinate “intensively and positively” on this and possible further conferences.
Differences also remained on economic issues – especially about what is meant by fair competition. Scholz and Xi emphasized that they still wanted to expand economic cooperation. “We don’t want any decoupling from China,” Scholz emphasized several times.
Xi’s parable: No one should be on the menu
Scholz and Xi spoke to each other for a total of three hours and 20 minutes – an unusually long time. The meeting began with an hour in a large group, followed by a 45-minute tea ceremony in private and finally a shared meal. Xi is said to have used this as a parable alluding to the solution initiatives in the Ukraine war: Everyone should be at the table, but no one should be on the menu, he was quoted as saying.
From a German perspective, the Ukraine war was the number one topic in the political talks in Beijing. During his inaugural visit in November, Scholz persuaded Xi to reject Russian threats of a nuclear strike. On Tuesday, this was supplemented by the joint demand not to attack nuclear facilities in the war zone.
Small step instead of a big leap
This time the big hit didn’t happen. There were several different statements from the Chinese side on Tuesday about the efforts to hold a peace conference. The first statement said China would only support an international peace conference if it was accepted by both Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already rejected the Swiss initiative and was not even invited.
The Chinese later added that they would continue to coordinate on this and other conferences. It ultimately remained unclear how willing Beijing was to take part in the summit in the Swiss Alps. The hosts want to invite 100 countries and bring as many states as possible to the table that are friendly to Russia – especially China. The nuclear power with its 1.4 billion inhabitants is considered Russia’s most important ally. The conference in Switzerland depends on China’s participation.
Xi speaks of “epoch of turbulence and upheaval”
Xi spoke of a “new era of turbulence and upheaval” in which the risks for all of humanity are increasing. “In order to solve these questions, it is essential that cooperation between the major powers prevails.” In this sense, stable cooperation between the major economies of Germany and China is important. “Together we can bring more stability and security to the earth.”
At the beginning of the conversation, Scholz urgently pointed out to Xi the devastating effects of the war. “Indirectly, they damage the entire international order because they violate a principle of the United Nations Charter: the principle of the inviolability of state borders,” he said. “The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s arms buildup have significant negative effects on security in Europe.”
The West accuses China of supplying Russia with goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes and thus supporting the Russian war economy. Scholz had already made it clear before the meeting that he wanted to address this issue clearly. Xi did not address this in his statement. He simply said that China was “not a party or a participant in the Ukraine crisis.”
Practical test for China strategy: Xi warns against protectionism
The talks in Beijing were also a practical test for the federal government’s China strategy, which was decided on in the summer. It defines the country, ruled with a heavy hand by the communist leadership, as a partner, competitor and systemic rival.
The core of the strategy is to reduce economic dependence on China in order to avoid a rude awakening like the one that occurred when gas supplies were cut off after the Russian attack on Ukraine. This is called de-risking or risk reduction. Xi emphasized that cooperation between Germany and China does not represent a risk, but rather “a guarantee for the stability of relations.”
Like his Prime Minister Li Qiang, whom Scholz also met, he warned urgently against economic protective measures. Germany and China both depend on industry and support free trade, Xi said. “In this sense, both sides should be wary of the rise of protectionism.” The EU Commission is currently examining whether sales of Chinese electric cars in Europe are being illegally subsidized. This is probably what Xi’s statements are aimed at.
Scholz mentioned “fair competitive conditions”, equal market access, protection of intellectual property and the need for a reliable legal framework.
Longest trip to a single country
It is the Chancellor’s second trip to China since he was sworn in in December 2021. His inaugural visit in November 2022 was only a day trip due to the ongoing corona pandemic. This time he took three days – more than ever before for a single country on a trip – and before Beijing he also visited the two economic metropolises of Chongqing and Shanghai.
He was accompanied in Beijing by a dozen top managers and three ministers: Volker Wissing (transport, FDP), Cem Özdemir (agriculture, Greens) and Steffi Lemke (environment, Greens). Ministers signed agreements on trade in beef and apples, autonomous driving and the circular economy.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
