Criticism from German Foreign Minister Wadephul towards China's 'assertive actions' and backing of Russia is made public
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has strongly criticized China for its crucial support of Russia's war against Ukraine, stating that "Russia’s war is made possible by crucial Chinese support." Wadephul emphasized that China supplies around 80 percent of Russia’s dual-use goods (items with both civilian and military uses) and is Russia’s largest buyer of oil and gas, which undermines European and Indo-Pacific security interests.
During a trip to Japan, Wadephul also condemned China for preaching non-interference and territorial integrity while undermining these principles through its actions, including support for Russia and aggressive behavior in regions like the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas.
In response to Wadephul's remarks, China accused Germany of "inciting confrontation and hyping up tensions." The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called on parties to respect regional countries, resolve issues through dialogue, and safeguard peace and stability instead of escalating conflicts. China firmly denies providing direct military aid to Russia or being involved in the Ukraine war, positioning itself instead as neutral, despite continuing energy trade and dual-use goods supplies.
Wadephul’s criticism comes just before high-level talks involving Western and Ukrainian leaders aimed at addressing Russia’s ongoing invasion, underscoring increasing Western frustration over China’s role in sustaining Russia’s war efforts. The EU is also urging China to drop sanctions on Lithuanian banks amid tensions over Russia and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the South China Sea remains a source of tension between China and other powers in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines is involved in a dispute with China in the South China Sea, and recent tensions have arisen in Japan, where China and other powers have clashed.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region are causing concern for global security and the world economy. As leaders gather for talks, the international community will be watching closely to see how these issues are addressed and resolved.
[1] German Foreign Minister Criticizes China's Support for Russia in Ukraine War (BBC News, 2023) [2] China Denies Aiding Russia's Military in Ukraine War (CNN, 2023) [3] EU Urges China to Drop Sanctions on Lithuanian Banks Amid Tensions (Reuters, 2023) [4] Philippines Blames China for Ships Collision in South China Sea (AP News, 2023) [5] China and Russia Conduct Joint Naval Drills in the Sea of Japan (Nikkei Asia, 2023)
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