EXCLUSIVE
Wang Yi told Kaja Kallas that China cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, otherwise the US will divert its full focus to Beijing
scmp.com/news/china/dip…
Wang Yi told Kaja Kallas that China cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, otherwise the US will divert its full focus to Beijing
scmp.com/news/china/dip…
The comment during yesterday's talks in Brussels confirms what many believe to be Beijing’s position on the war but jars with China’s public utterances.
There is some surprise by the frankness of Wang’s remarks.
They came during a marathon four-hour debate on the full gambit of geopolitical and commercial grievances, and dined on stuffed chicken, sweet potato mousse and cheesecake.
They came during a marathon four-hour debate on the full gambit of geopolitical and commercial grievances, and dined on stuffed chicken, sweet potato mousse and cheesecake.
Wang was said to have given Kallas - the ex-Estonian prime minister who only late last year took up her role as the bloc’s de facto foreign affairs chief - several history lessons and lectures
Some felt he was giving her a lesson in realpolitik, part of which focused on Beijing’s belief that Washington will soon turn its full attention eastward
One interpretation of Wang’s statement is that while China did not ask for the war, its prolongation may suit Beijing’s strategic needs, so long as the US remains engaged in Ukraine.
Wang rejected the accusation that China was materially supporting Russia’s war effort, financially or militarily, insisting that if it was doing so, the conflict would have ended long ago.
The view in Brussels is that the gruelling encounter- does not bode well for the summit on July 24 and 25 in Beijing and Anhui province.
The main hope for concrete deliverables is on the climate front.
The main hope for concrete deliverables is on the climate front.
The tone of Wednesday’s dialogue was said to be respectful, if tense.
Nonetheless, some insiders were surprised by the harshness of Wang’s message, just three weeks out from an important leaders summit in China. Any appearance of a charm offensive is seen to have evaporated.
Nonetheless, some insiders were surprised by the harshness of Wang’s message, just three weeks out from an important leaders summit in China. Any appearance of a charm offensive is seen to have evaporated.
Wang even told Kallas the two-day summit itself could be truncated - in a hint that Beijing is not happy with how the EU is positioning itself ahead of the event.
The bloc is set to blacklist two small Chinese banks for flouting its sanctions on Russia, in its 18th package of measures against Moscow, which is awaiting final approval from its 27 member states.
Wang repeatedly vowed to retaliate if the lenders are ultimately listed.
Wang repeatedly vowed to retaliate if the lenders are ultimately listed.
On rare earths, they got no reassurances from Wang that a structural end to the crisis was in the works.
Wang said Beijing has reduced processing time for licenses from nearly six weeks to three, and that individual companies can always raise their complaints with the govt
Wang said Beijing has reduced processing time for licenses from nearly six weeks to three, and that individual companies can always raise their complaints with the govt
The EU feels it has been unfairly caught in the crossfire of a US-China tech war and there is some surprise that Wang was not more forthcoming with a solution.
One source described his position on the matter as “dismissive”.
One source described his position on the matter as “dismissive”.
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