Xi, Scholz warn against ‘irresponsible’ nuke threats

GBNEWS24DESK//

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz yesterday condemned threats to use atomic weapons in Ukraine, with Scholz warning that Russia risked “crossing a line” in the international community by resorting to nuclear force.

In the first visit by a G7 leader to China since the pandemic, Scholz pressed Xi to prevail on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, saying Beijing had a responsibility as a major power to do so.

Xi agreed that both leaders “jointly oppose the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons”, according to a readout by the state-run Xinhua news agency, though he refrained from criticising Russia or calling on Moscow to withdraw its troops.

Scholz arrived in Beijing on a one-day visit that is testing the waters between China and the West after years of mounting tensions, with talks touching on reciprocal market access, climate change and Covid-19 vaccines.

Scholz made the visit while facing criticism from within his own coalition about relations with Beijing and has tried to balance securing a level playing field for European companies with shedding Germany’s heavy reliance on the Chinese market.

During lunch with Scholz, Xi stressed that it is easy to destroy political trust but difficult to rebuild it, and both sides need to take care of it, according to Xinhua.

Earlier, while greeting Scholz at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing, Xi urged the two countries to work more closely on international issues.

“President Xi and I agree: nuclear threats are irresponsible and incendiary,” Scholz said after the meeting. “By using nuclear weapons, Russia would be crossing a line that the community of states has drawn together.”

Ukraine’s Western allies have accused Russia of threatening to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Moscow and has repeatedly accused Kyiv of planning to use a radioactive “dirty bomb” without offering evidence.

Before their lunch of beef strips, prawn and sweet and sour fish, Scholz told Xi that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was creating problems for the rules-based global order, according to a recording of the remarks provided by the German delegation.

Scholz then met outgoing premier Li Keqiang. He told Li that it was clear China and Germany were no friends of “decoupling”.

During a news conference after his discussion with Li, Scholz said he raised the issue of Taiwan. China claims the island as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

“Like the US and other countries, we are pursuing a one-China policy. But I have made equally clear that any change in Taiwan’s status quo must be peaceful or by mutual consent,” he said.