Worries over war in Ukraine – Scholz and Xi warn of nuclear escalation

The international community must ensure that “nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear wars cannot be fought”. The parties involved must exercise restraint and create conditions for negotiations to resume, Xi said, according to the German Foreign Ministry. The world community must do everything in its power to find a peaceful solution.

China remains cautious with criticism
Xi has not criticized his strategic partner Russia for invading Ukraine. But both Xi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang on Friday expressed concerns over the conflict, in which China has backed Russian President Vladimir Putin, more clearly than at any time since the war of aggression began.

China hopes for an “early end” to the war with Germany, the prime minister said. “We cannot afford any further escalation.” Scholz appeared with Li before the press. Questions from journalists were not allowed, however, which was still possible during visits by his predecessor Angela Merkel.

Scholz takes a closer look at Beijing
Scholz held China responsible as a member of the UN Security Council. As such, the People’s Republic also has a responsibility for peace in the world: “I told President Xi that it is important for China to exert its influence over Russia.” Before his departure, Scholz said the visit would take place at exactly that time instead “where it’s important to get things moving in jammed structures”.

The German chancellor’s inaugural visit to Beijing has been overshadowed by strict corona measures, as China continues to follow a strict zero-covid strategy. Scholz and his delegation with a small group of industry representatives were to be tested and allowed to move only in a hermetically sealed “bubble”. Xi greeted the chancellor without a mask, but not with a handshake. An overnight stay was avoided, so the eleven-hour visit was shorter than an earlier chancellor’s trip.

The conflict in Taiwan was also a problem
“It is right and proper that I am here in Beijing today,” Scholz began his review of the controversial trip. It was criticized that the German chancellor was the first Western head of government to pay his respects to head of state and party leader Xi at the party congress almost two weeks ago, immediately after his power was expanded and he was re-elected. China has also been criticized for human rights violations, saber-rattling against Taiwan and its more research-based approach to foreign policy.

Scholz defended his trip. “The Russian attack on Ukraine brought the war back to Europe.” In times of crisis, discussions are even more important. The SPD politician also warned Chinese leaders against military intervention in Taiwan. It is true that Germany follows a “one China policy”. But that also means that any changes to Taiwan’s status quo must be “peaceful and consensual only.”

Tensions had recently risen. At the party congress, Xi had again threatened to take the island’s democratic republic militarily if the Taiwanese resist peaceful “unification.” The communist leadership considers the island part of the People’s Republic. Taiwan, on the other hand, has 23 million inhabitants and has long considered itself independent.

The Chancellor also underlined that human rights are “universal”, which is recognized by all members of the United Nations. In his speeches, he recalled the obligation to protect and implement human rights. He specifically mentioned the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, where Muslim minorities are persecuted, according to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights. The chancellor rejected Chinese reasoning that this was “no interference in internal affairs”.

Germany wants further economic cooperation
As became known from government circles after Scholz’s departure from Beijing, Scholz had already spoken to Chinese human rights lawyers via a secure video line before his trip to China. A meeting in Beijing was not possible due to the strict Corona requirements. From a German point of view, meetings between the Chancellor and members of Chinese civil society are always a central element of travel to China.

Despite all the differences with China, Scholz also wants to promote economic cooperation. However, he complained that economic exchange “has become more difficult for German companies”. “That applies to market access, which is very open from the European side, while China protects many sectors.” Scholz also mentioned the protection of intellectual property. “Even in China, where economic exchange was central, we see that efforts in the field of self-sufficiency are increasingly discussed.”