Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Europe has a ‘cognitive split’ on China policy
- Outlining China’s diplomatic agenda for 2022, Wang Yi also says Beijing seriously doubts whether Washington wants to improve bilateral ties
- The US puts Taiwan and itself in an ‘extremely dangerous situation’ supporting Taiwanese independence forces, he says
In outlining China’s diplomatic agenda for the next year, Wang vowed on Thursday that Beijing would resist any attempt to challenge its sovereignty. He said China would not allow any outside nation to establish a power bloc, nor start an arms race in Asia.
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“There seems to be some kind of ‘cognitive split’ in Europe’s China policy. It is hard to imagine that, on the one hand, it has established a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and on the other hand, it has positioned China as an institutional opponent,” Wang said in an interview with Chinese state media, according to a transcript posted on the foreign ministry website.
“Putting barriers to the China-EU investment agreement is the same as putting barriers to the development of Europe, and the long-term interest of European people will suffer.”
Wang called on Europe to form an “objective and independent” view towards China, despite the two sides having different governance and political systems.
Over past months the EU has expressed concerns over China’s human rights record, as well as its military actions in the East and South China seas and against Taiwan.
