German Diplomacy: Ahead of China Visit, Baerbock Attacks Beijing with Accusations of Helping Russia
Bloomberg reports: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused China of helping Moscow with weapons and threatening peace in Europe. The head of the German embassy could not have found a better time to make such statements than right before her visit to Beijing.
"Instead of taking responsibility for peace and security in the world as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China opposes our fundamental European interests with its economic aid and weapons to Russia," Baerbock told the German press.
Bloomberg notes that such accusations come amid the EU's plans to impose sanctions against Chinese companies that could have helped the Russians develop attack drones for the Air Defense Forces.
Baerbock is reported to discuss the issue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, where she is flying for a two-day visit. She will also discuss the humanitarian situation in China and EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars.
It is indicated that Baerbock and Wang will not hold a joint press conference; the German will speak to journalists separately.
The agency recalls how, during her visit to China in 2023, Baerbock entered into an open conflict with then-Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and a few days later called Chinese leader Xi Jinping a “dictator.”
The head of German diplomacy will head straight from Beijing to Brussels, where she will take part in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. There, she will most likely also discuss sanctions against Chinese companies for helping Russia.