China – Germany disruption: Beijing firmly pushed back against the Baerbock accusations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday co-chaired the seventh round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Beijing, where Wang called on the two countries to overcome disruptions, eliminate obstacles and adhere to the main theme of dialogue and cooperation, ‘The Global Times’ informs.

"There are differences and disagreements between China and Germany, but differences should not be an obstacle to cooperation, and disagreements should not be a reason for confrontation," said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, adding that the positive results and valuable experiences achieved in China-Germany relations should be cherished and continued. 

Apart from the EV tariffs, during the talks on Monday, the Chinese and German foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Baerbock expressed hope that as a cooperation partner of the EU, China would play an active role, while Wang comprehensively and systematically elaborated on China's stance of promoting peace and facilitating talks, according to the statement.

Notably, ahead of her visit to Beijing, the German Foreign Minister reportedly made accusations against China over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Instead of taking responsibility for peace and security in the world as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is opposing our core European interests with its economic and weapons aid to Russia," Baerbock said in a statement, Reuters reported on Sunday.

On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry pushed back against the accusations. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that "on the Ukraine crisis, China has made clear its position many times. We firmly oppose groundless accusations, blame-shifting and political manipulation."

The EU is also reportedly proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it says helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine. Commenting on this, Mao Ning, another spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on November 26 that China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.

"On the Ukraine issue, China is committed to promoting talks for peace. China has never provided weapons to parties to the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, even drones for civilian use, and opposes using civilian drones for military purposes," Mao said.

Zheng Chunrong, director of the German Studies Centre at Tongji University, said that the accusations against China's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict show the increased anxiety within the EU and its attempt to shift blame.

"As the conflict drags on, Europe becomes more and more anxious, and they attempt to shift this pressure onto China by turning the normal economic and trade relations between China and Russia into so-called aid," Zheng told the Global Times on Monday.

Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

At a briefing following the visit to Beijing by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian asked German media representatives to leave the room. He said there would be no joint final press conferences.

The diplomat added that the Chinese authorities consider all possible accusations from Germany against China and manipulations on the Ukrainian issue unacceptable. This is how he commented on China's position on the issue.

“As for the Ukrainian crisis, the Chinese side has repeatedly stated that it is firmly against accusations and,” – Lin Jian noted.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry will provide the necessary information about Baerbock's visit to China at the appropriate time, the diplomat added.

Baerbock went to China on a working visit, during which she planned to discuss the Ukrainian conflict. As noted by the representative of the German Foreign Ministry Christian Wagner, bilateral relations, as well as topics related to foreign policy and security issues were to be discussed. However, during her visit, Baerbock switched from diplomacy to threats against Beijing and demands to stop cooperation with Russia.

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