German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Berlin on Thursday afternoon, addressing concerns over export restrictions and urging China to refrain from supporting Russia.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Baerbock expressed significant concern regarding the recent unilateral and often opaque export restrictions on rare earth minerals, stating that these measures are causing worry for both Germany and its businesses. She emphasized the detrimental impact of this uncertainty on trade relations and China’s standing as a dependable trading partner in Germany.
Baerbock cautioned against overlooking the foundation of China’s substantial economic growth over the past decades, highlighting the importance of international fair and free trade. She stressed that sustained prosperity in this trade requires equitable competition and mutual reciprocity.
A key part of the discussion centered on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Baerbock reiterated the importance of China taking all necessary steps to prevent goods from reaching Russia and thereby supporting the war effort. She underscored that such support would further destabilize Europe, Asia and the world, asserting that restoring peace in Europe remains a core interest for Germany.
In response, Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that China does not supply tactical weapons to any warring parties and maintains strict control over dual-use goods. He stated that China has historically not actively participated in wars or conflicts, although he did not detail specific instances such as those involving South Korea, Taiwan, or India. Wang emphasized China’s continued commitment to peaceful negotiations as the primary path towards resolving the Ukraine crisis.