President of the European Council asks Xi Jinping to “influence Russia” to end the war in Ukraine

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, assured today in Beijing that “China can influence Russia” to respect international borders in the war of Ukraine and do not make nuclear threats.

Michaelwho paid a one-day visit to Beijing to meet with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinpingmade it clear that he is confident that the position of permanent member of the United Nations Security Council gives China the “possibility to use their influence” with Putin.

“We all share a responsibility in pursuit of peace, and from the respect for the charter of fundamental principles of the UN, I urged President Xi to use his influence on Russia at the next summit in April between the European Union and China.”, added.

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In turn, Michel assured that Xi made it clear that China “He is not providing him with weapons” a Russiaand stated that the Asian country regards the nuclear threats made by Putin as something “that is not acceptable”.

“With Xi we talked about that in the coming weeks, the entire international community, including China, should use all possible tools to convince the Kremlin and Russia to end the war and respect Ukraine’s borders.”, Michael stated.

Chinese President Xi Jinping signs a guest book during a meeting with Thailand’s prime minister on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Bangkok on November 19, 2022. (Photo by ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/POOL/AFP) (ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/)

The European president, who took advantage of his appearance to send a message of condolences for the death yesterday of the former president of China, jiang zeminHe also confirmed that his meeting with Xi raised the issue of recent protests over China’s ‘covid zero’ policy, which involves city lockdowns and massive PCR campaigns.

”For the European Union the right of peaceful assembly It is an important right guaranteed by international instruments and national constitutions”, said the president of the European Council, who invited China to resume human rights forums with the European body.

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”I believe in the power of dialogue” stated at the conference held at the Embassy of the European Union in the capital of the Asian giant, and assured that European pharmaceuticals are “ready to provide vaccines if accepted by Chinese health authorities.”

In the virtual press conference held on the afternoon of this Friday, Michael said he asked Xi that both sides should “talk about where we can best work together” and in turn “discuss and manage our differences”.

In the trade section, Michael He stressed that European companies and investors “need more reciprocity” and a “proper balance.”

”On the European side, access to the market continues to be very open, while, in China, many sectors remain much more closed”, denounced.

Regarding Taiwan, the European president reaffirmed the European Union’s defense of the ‘One China’ principle, making it clear that it is for the benefit of “peace and stability” in the Strait that “40% of the EU trade.

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Michael He has come to Beijing alone, without being accompanied by a larger delegation of representatives from the Council or the European Commission.

The visit follows the recent trip to Beijing by the German Chancellor, Olaf Schölzand the meeting of the Chinese leader with the president of the United States, Joe Bidenat the G20 summit in Bali (Indonesia).

The heads of State and Government of the EU discussed last October how to frame the relationship with China in the future, a debate in which they agreed that fundamental European rights and freedoms must be defended and “introduce more reciprocity” in relations economic with Beijing.

That discussion took place on the basis of a new document prepared by the European External Action Service which suggested that China “it has become an even stronger global competitor for the EU, the US and other like-minded partners”so that “it is essential to assess how best to respond to current challenges and opportunities”.

Source: Elcomercio