Scholz asks Xi to influence Russia to stop the war in Ukraine

Prime Minister Olaf Scholz visited China’s President Xi in Beijing on Tuesday.

Topics such as Ukraine, trade and the bond between Germany and China were among the topics the two leaders talked about.

Scholz had previously announced that he would talk about the war in Ukraine with Xi, and emphasized after the meeting that they both condemn attacks on nuclear power plants.

Steak and apples

Scholz’s visit is his first since the German government last year adopted a political objective to lean less on Chinese suppliers.

– We must develop bilateral relations in an all-round way from a long-term and strategic perspective, says Xi.

China has now agreed to open the import of beef and apples from Germany, in addition to facilitating the import of pork.

EU concern about China

The Chinese president points out that the industrial and supply chains in China and Germany are closely intertwined, and that the markets in the two countries are highly interdependent.

The visit takes place at the same time as the EU is concerned about Chinese goods and the threat they pose to European companies. This concerns, among other things, electric vehicles and “green” technology, which are flooding the markets.

– Germany and China should be on guard against increasing protectionism, look at the issue of production capacity objectively and dialectically from a market-oriented and global perspective, Xi told Scholz.

Shall discuss Ukraine

When Scholz arrived in Beijing, he said he will also discuss “just peace” in Ukraine with Xi.

– My meeting with President Xi will focus the spotlight on how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine.

Xi said he hopes China-Germany relations will continue to develop steadily, as long as both sides respect each other and seek common ground, while taking into account each other’s differences.

Scholz will be in China for three days, and during his stay he will, among other things, visit the cities of Shanghai and Chongqing together with German business leaders.