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Scholz in China: Visit against the background of growing tension between the West and the Asian giant

The Chinese president Xi Jinping is meeting in Beijing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the first leader of an EU and G7 member state to visit China since the novel coronavirus pandemic broke out. Chancellor Scholz was received in the morning at the Palace of the People by President Xi, a img close to the German government told AFP. Soon after, Mr. Soltz is expected to meet for talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Scholz assured Xi Jinping that his intention is to “further develop” Germany’s economic cooperation with China, despite the “differences of opinion” of the two countries’ governments.

“We would also like to discuss ways in which we could develop our cooperation (…) on other issues: climate change, food security and indebted countries,” stressed Olaf Solz to the Chinese leader, a img close to the German government told AFP, as relayed by the Athens News Agency.

Xi Jinping, for his part, said Chancellor Scholz’s visit to Beijing “strengthens practical cooperation” between China and Germany, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Scholz’s visit comes against a backdrop of growing tension between the West and the Chinese government, which the US in particular accuses of growing “aggression” and authoritarianism.

As Mr. Xi sees it, the two countries must increase cooperation in this “period of change and turmoil” for the sake of world peace, Chinese media reported.

Ai Weiwei: Scholz’s China visit ‘not a bad idea’

Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has come out in support of Olaf Solz’s visit to China today, even though other activists and the World Uyghur Congress have called for it to be canceled because of the Asian giant’s human rights record.

“At least it’s not a bad idea,” the artist told the German Agency when asked about Mr. Scholz’s first trip as chancellor to Beijing today.

“In our world today it would not be realistic to end a relationship to achieve any political goal,” said the Portuguese-exiled artist.

“This has never been done, even in extreme situations. Relations between countries are always there, either officially or through secret channels,” Mr. Ai insisted, adding that “I do not consider the trip (of Mr. Soltz) unacceptable.”

Olaf Solz is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Palace of the People today. He is the first Western leader to meet with the Chinese head of state since secured a third term as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party and thus the country in October.

Mr Scholz, who has vowed to change the way Berlin handles its relations with Beijing, promised to hold “frank” talks with the Chinese political leadership on his 11-hour visit. He pledged to raise “difficult issues” in the talks, particularly human rights and the treatment of minorities. He also expressed concern over the dispute over Taiwan’s status.

“The contact between heads of state is mainly arranged because of their strategic interdependence, and it will not stop if we moralize the issues,” Ai Weiwei observed. The most important thing for any European leader, he added, is to “clearly state” what his positions are.

“No respect can be earned if a relationship is based solely on profits,” he explained. “Values ​​and interests” must be articulated in a “clear way”, that would be “a clean stance”, he added. But if Germany decides not to adhere to European values ​​in this matter, it will not deserve the position it “expects to have”.


Source: News Beast

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