China's pressure on Russia necessary: ​​Scholz warns Xi against attack on Taiwan

Chancellor Scholz found clear words during his first visit to Beijing: On the one hand he called for China to deal peacefully with Taiwan, on the other hand it should use its influence on Russia to end the Ukraine war.

China's pressure on Russia necessary: ​​Scholz warns Xi against attack on Taiwan

Chancellor Scholz found clear words during his first visit to Beijing: On the one hand he called for China to deal peacefully with Taiwan, on the other hand it should use its influence on Russia to end the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, there is agreement because of nuclear threats.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned China against military intervention in Taiwan. After talks with head of state and party leader Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Scholz confirmed in Beijing that Germany was pursuing a "one China policy". But that also means that any changes to the status quo should only be made peacefully and by mutual consent.

During his first visit to China, Scholz was reacting to repeated threats from Beijing that he wanted to take the island's democratic republic militarily if the Taiwanese opposed peaceful "unification". The communist leadership regards the island as part of the People's Republic. Taiwan, on the other hand, has long seen itself as independent.

The Chancellor also underlined that human rights are "universal", which is also recognized by all members of the United Nations. In his talks, he recalled the obligation to protect and implement human rights. He also expressly warned them with regard to the north-west Chinese region of Xinjiang, where, according to the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Muslim minorities are being persecuted.

This is "not interference in internal affairs," said the chancellor, referring to the usual Chinese response on the subject. Both sides wanted to keep the conversation going. According to human rights activists, hundreds of thousands of members of minorities, especially Uyghurs, have been sent to re-education camps in Xinjiang. China's head of government had previously referred to cultural differences and different views between Germany and China, which could not be avoided.

Scholz also asked China to use its influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. The governments in Beijing and Berlin also agree that Russian threats with nuclear weapons are unacceptable, Scholz said at the meeting with Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

"President Xi and I agree: nuclear threats are irresponsible and extremely dangerous. With the use of nuclear weapons, Russia would cross a line that the international community has drawn together," said Scholz. The Chancellor described China as a "big country". As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the People's Republic also has responsibility for peace in the world. "I have told President Xi that it is important for China to exercise its influence over Russia."

The Chancellor rejected criticism of his trip. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine brought war back to Europe," he said. In times of crisis, discussions are even more important. He began his statement by saying, "It is good and right that I am here in Beijing today."