There is currently no agreement between Germany and China on the Russia issue.

Different views on Russia: Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang and Annalena Baerbock. Michael Kappeler/Pool photo via AP

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has warned the European Union against sanctions against Chinese companies as part of planned new sanctions against Russia. China “strongly opposes” countries launching unilateral sanctions against China or other countries under their own domestic legislation, he said during a news conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday. “In that case, we will also respond firmly and decisively. And we will also defend the legitimate interests of our country and our company.” “Normal economic exchanges” between China and the EU “should not be politicized”.

The package of measures proposed by the EU Commission against Russia is designed in such a way that companies from China and Hong Kong will also be sanctioned as a result of the Ukraine war for the first time. Several companies have been accused of exporting dual-use goods to Russia that could be used for both civilian and military purposes.

Qin said there were “normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies.” This normal exchange should not be disturbed. China has laws against sending weapons to crisis areas. There are also corresponding regulations for so-called dual-use goods.

Sanctions against China and other third countries are at the heart of the eleventh package of sanctions that the EU wants to adopt against Russia. These sanctions are intended to prevent individual countries from circumventing EU sanctions. Baerbock said the sanctions were not aimed at the entire state, but for individual companies. In doing so, he rebutted media reports that the main aim of the package was to create a legal basis for punishing other countries for doing business with Russia.

Baerbock said he could not yet comment on the details of the planned 11th package of sanctions against Russia. It will still advise. In principle, EU sanctions against Russia should not be violated in a roundabout way. It is critical “if Russian arms companies get access to war related goods”. Baerbock: “But we expect from all countries, we also expect from China, that it will affect the company.”

The differences in Germany’s and China’s positions on the war in Ukraine became clear again during an hour-long press conference between the two ministers. While Baerbock sharply criticized the Russian offensive and called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the Chinese minister avoided blaming the warring parties.

Minister Qin said: “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is very consistent: we call on all sides to end the war and start peace negotiations.” China “doesn’t want to add oil to the fire”. He answered evasively to some critical media questions. However, contrary to what radio info rbb repeatedly claimed on Tuesday, Qin spoke very well and even several times about “war” and not just about “crisis”. Instead, he made it clear that he saw the war in Ukraine as part of a larger dispute: China’s foreign minister warned against attempts to “separate” the economy and against fomenting antagonism or exploiting currency monopolies – an obvious reference to US policy. “If this new Cold War becomes a reality, it will not only be at the expense of China, but also at the expense of Europe,” he said, according to the translation. He called on China and Germany to act together to ensure the stability of global supply chains.

Baerbock, on the other hand, called on the People’s Republic to use its influence to pressure Russia to end the offensive. In this context, he quotes South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu: “Neutrality means taking the side of the aggressor.” Hence the federal government’s guidelines to “make clear that we are on the side of the victims”.

The meeting serves to prepare for the planned German-Chinese government consultations in June, for which the new Chinese Premier Li Qiang will be invited to Berlin. The Federal Government is holding such talks with several close or strategically important partners, including France, Japan, India, Brazil, and Israel. The last German-Chinese government consultations will take place in 2021. (with AFP and dpa)