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Why Trump, US elections may buoy China’s chances as it seeks to gain trust in more ‘rational’ Europe
- Europe’s rational understanding of China is increasing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi says upon return from three-nation trip marked by flurry of talks
- Concerns over Donald Trump’s possible return to power and impact on the Ukraine war may help China as it pursues closer European ties, analyst says
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Europe’s understanding of China is becoming more “rational”, the top Chinese diplomat has said, and analysts believe European concerns over the US election outcome could be a window for Beijing as it seeks to gain trust on the continent.
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This came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi continued to pitch his country as a reliable partner for Europe and a “stabilising force” in global affairs.
Wang held a flurry of meetings this week with his European counterparts on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, with the US presidential elections and the war in Ukraine looming large over the annual forum in the German city.
Leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell committed to “oppose” decoupling from China, according to Chinese readouts of their meetings with Wang.
“The European side has a positive attitude towards strengthening exchanges between China and the EU at all levels and is very enthusiastic about deepening practical cooperation,” Wang said upon his return to China on Wednesday.
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