China’s Wang Yi urges Germany to reject protectionism and ‘bloc confrontation’ as EU eyes economic security measures

In meeting with German foreign policy adviser, top Chinese diplomat calls on Berlin to avoid ‘de-sinicisation’ amid ‘de-risking’ talk by the West
The comments come after Brussels announces plans to strengthen foreign investment screening and tighten controls on tech exports to Beijing

Germany

Dewey Sim

Published: 9:04pm, 23 Feb 2024

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China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, urged Germany to oppose “bloc confrontation” and protectionism, amid efforts by Western countries to “de-risk” from Beijing.

In a meeting with German foreign policy adviser Jens Plotner in Beijing on Friday, Wang said ties between the two countries, which he called “major powers with world influence”, held “global significance” and transcended bilateral relations.

He added that stabilising and developing ties would offer greater certainty to the world, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“We must adhere to unity and cooperation, oppose bloc confrontation, abandon protectionism and not engage in de-sinicisation to reduce risks so as to promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations,” he said.

“China and Germany should encourage the international community to strengthen unity and coordination, improve global governance, and make positive contributions to world stability, development and prosperity.”

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Wang, China’s foreign minister, warned earlier this month that the West would be making a “historic mistake” if it decoupled from China in the name of “de-risking”.

His comments came after the European Commission outlined plans to bolster its economic security by more rigorously screening foreign investments and placing tighter controls on technology exports to rivals such as China.

Wang told Plotner on Friday that the development of the two economies should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge, adding that there was “huge cooperation potential” between them.

“Both sides should adhere to a correct understanding and view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective,” he said.

Wang added that Beijing was willing to strengthen communication, deepen cooperation, and “consolidate strategic mutual trust” with Germany.

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According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Plotner said Germany attached great importance to developing ties with China and was glad to see Beijing play a “more important role” in global affairs.

He was also quoted as saying that Germany hoped to expand cooperation with China and work together to fight climate change and promote world peace.

Plotner’s meeting with Wang came weeks before an expected trip to China by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, though neither Beijing nor Berlin has confirmed the visit. German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported earlier this month that Scholz would travel to China with a business delegation in April.

Wang met his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, last week on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, where they pledged to improve cooperation.

Baerbock told Wang that China and Germany should “demonstrate international responsibility” and properly handle their differences, given the conflicts and challenges in the world today.