EU ambassador China on “unlimited friendship” with Russia: “Nothing but rhetoric”

Fu Cong told the New York Times about the relationship between his country and Russia in an interview. Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin had spoken of an “unlimited friendship” in the past, and during Xi’s most recent visit to Moscow in March, the two men also demonstrated closeness.

According to Fu Cong, the relationship is not that close. In the interview, he further said that many people misinterpreted the publicly displayed closeness between the two countries. Especially with regard to the war in Ukraine.

China is not on Russia’s side, it has not supplied Russia with weapons – nor does it intend to – nor has it condoned Russia’s behavior and acknowledged its annexation of Ukrainian territories.

The fact that Beijing has not condemned Russia’s invasion of the neighboring country is because Russia’s fears about NATO and its expansion are understood. In addition, his government believes that “the root causes are more complicated” than suggested by Western leaders.

The fact that Xi Jinping has not yet had any contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is because Xi is currently very busy. But there are frequent contacts with Ukraine “at a lower level”. And he emphasizes again:

Fu also said China is open to stepping up political cooperation with Europe. The condition for this, however, is that Europe formulates a uniform policy towards China. That has not happened so far.

The EU ambassador also demands that Europe develops and pursues its own policy that is inconsistent with that of the US. Europe must develop “strategic autonomy” and not blindly “follow Washington’s leadership”. The EU claims to be an independent power center in the world, just like China and the US. “So why does Europe have to listen to the United States all the time?” Fu said.

Fu’s statements should be seen in the context of a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will meet with the Chinese government on Thursday. (con)