The German chancellor became the first G7 leader to personally visit China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is sharply criticized for his visit to China, during which he discussed with Xi Jinping economic and political cooperation in the near future. However, Scholz himself considers the trip successful if only because the Chinese leader publicly recognized the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the war against Ukraine as unacceptable. The policy is quoted by Reuters.
“Since the Chinese government, President Xi and I have jointly declared that nuclear weapons should not be used in this war, that alone has made the whole trip worthwhile,” Scholz said during a speech to colleagues in the Social Democratic Party.
Xi, who was re-elected to a third term as president two weeks ago, agreed that the two leaders “jointly oppose the use or threat of nuclear weapons.” in Ukraine, but refrained from criticizing Russia or calling on Moscow to withdraw its troops.
Responding to accusations from critics that he has opted for a strategy of making Germany's economy too dependent on China, Scholz said diversification is key to limiting the possible fallout if relations between the countries sour.
“We have a clear plan and we stick to it. And that means diversification for all the countries with which we trade, especially, of course, for a country that is so large and has such a large share of the world economy. We will continue economic relations with China. But we are going to position ourselves in such a way that we will be able to cope with the situation at any time when difficulties arise – whether in 10 years or in 30 years,” said the German chancellor.
Read also: The border that cannot be crossed: Scholz called for restraint of Russia's nuclear impulses
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Earlier Scholz discussed nuclear rhetoric Kremlin with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
