Tag: Europe-China Relations

China Backtracks Envoy’s Remarks Denying Sovereignty of ex-Soviet States After European Backlash

China has disavowed remarks made by its envoy to France that questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet member states after triggering a backlash from European leaders. China’s embassy in Paris said Tuesday that ambassador Lu Shaye’s comments on Ukraine were “not a statement of policy, but a personal expression of opinion” that…


ANALYSIS: German Foreign Minister Steps on Beijing’s Red Lines During China Visit

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was given some of the highest-level receptions during her recent visit to China. However, she stepped on Beijing’s red line during several speeches, especially on the Taiwan Strait and the Russia-Ukraine war. Baerbock’s inflexible position on universal values has been a headache for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). But given…


China Threatens to Prosecute Jailed Jimmy Lai’s UK Lawyers

PERUGIA, Italy—China has threatened the British-based lawyers of jailed journalist Jimmy Lai with prosecution, a leading human rights barrister has revealed. Caoilfhionn Gallagher, KC said the move by Hong Kong authorities was part of a “deeply disturbing trend” of targeting the support networks of those persecuted by the Beijing regime. The Irish-born lawyer—who works at…


Germany’s Foreign Minister: Parts of China Trip ‘More Than Shocking’

BERLIN—German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday described parts of her recent trip to China as “more than shocking” and said Beijing was increasingly becoming a systemic rival more than a trade partner and competitor. The blunt remarks followed Baerbock’s visit to Beijing last week where she warned that any attempt by the Chinese communist…


Former UK Prime Minister Calls for World Bank Reforms to Counter Beijing

Former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has called for reforms at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to counter Beijing’s influence. He warned that the United Kingdom also risks losing out to communist China unless it steps up foreign aid assistance, Cameron wrote in The Sunday Telegraph on April 15. “Through its…


Children of UK Politicians Targeted in China-Linked Intimidation Campaigns

Sinister intimidation campaigns targeting the children of UK politicians are emanating from China, according to reports. The Telegraph reported that MPs now fear that Beijing is actively monitoring their families after publicly criticising the regime. One Tory politician had their child’s university place jeopardised over warnings Chinese funding would be pulled from the institution, while…


Beijing Pledges to Stand Shoulder to Shoulder with Russia

Beijing will continue deepening ties with Moscow—despite assurances the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would remain neutral over Ukraine—following a meeting between Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Li Shangfu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Li, recently appointed defence minister, said his visit to Russia was specifically designed to “emphasise the special character and strategic importance” of bilateral ties,…


‘How Awful, Mr. President’

Commentary Europe must reduce its dependency on the United States and avoid getting dragged into a confrontation between Beijing and the U.S. over Taiwan, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview on his plane journey back from a three-day state visit to China last week. According to the report by Politico journalists, Macron emphasised…


Macron Says Europe Should Reduce Dependence on US Dollar After Meeting With China’s Xi

Amid reports that some countries are “de-dollarizing,” French President Emanuel Macron suggested in a new interview that Europe should reduce its dependency on the United States. There is a “great risk” that Europe “gets caught up in crises that are not ours, which prevents it from building its strategic autonomy,” he told Politico this weekend…


Macron in China Urges ‘Shared Responsibility for Peace’

BEIJING—French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he wants to “engage China toward a shared responsibility for peace” in Ukraine when he meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week. French officials said earlier that Macron planned to urge Xi in talks Thursday to use Beijing’s influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but didn’t expect a big…