“We are not naive vis-à-vis China,” certified European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton as Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China with Ursula von der Leyen approaches.
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Amaury Coutansais-Pervinquiere
Published update
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«China is both a trading partner and a systemic rival“, underlined Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the internal market upstream Emmanuel Macron’s visit in Beijing. President, accompanied by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, must go there from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 April. “This position of systemic rival (according to the wording adopted in 2019, Ed.) means that we are not naive vis-à-vis China. Its political rules are not our democratic rules“, added Thierry Breton.
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The European Commissioner dwelt on Xi Jinping’s speech during his third reappointment as head of the Communist Party on October 23. “He didn’t just talk about the economy, but above all about security“. An affirmation, therefore, of Beijing’s will to power. With China, Thierry Breton wants to “derisk” relationships. That is to say, remind thepartner“Chinese that”we are a great continent, and an economic power […] you what, yes [il] is an important business opportunity for us, we are, for [lui] a vital outlet“. According to the European Commissioner, if “for one reason or another», the European Union had to «restrict or close [son] indoor market“, this would generate “5 to 6 points of gross domestic product (GDP) lessfor China.
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Would the European Union adopt sanctions in the event of Chinese arms deliveries to Russia ? «We are not there yet. It has been indicated that there are red lines not to be crossed“, certified Thierry Breton who thinks that”Xi Jinping has a role to play in the outcomeof the Ukrainian war. GOOD that the peace plan proposed by Beijing is «not a peace plan, but ten very broad and heartfelt recommendations“, in the eyes of Thierry Breton.
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As for human rights,everyone must stay in their place“, estimated Thierry Breton. “We have no intention of telling China what to do. [En revanche]we will be explicit about core values. […] This subject of Uyghurs is very high on the list of concerns [d’Emmanuel Macron et Ursula von der Leyen]he said, referring to Xinjiang’s oppressed minority.
Finally, Thierry Breton returned to the Russian Presidency of the UN Security Councilwhich did not fail to outrage kyiv: “It follows Mozambique and precedes Switzerland“, he tempered, stressing that this role is enshrined in “UN institutions“. Nevertheless, he asserts,we will be vigilant and we will not let her do or say anything“. Even if “Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is customary because».