Amid US Containment, Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Merkel and Macron: "Strengthening Cooperation with Europe"

Merkel and Macron "Concerned about China's Human Rights Issues... Cooperation on COVID-19 and Climate Change"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 5th (local time), President Xi held a video conference with Chancellor Merkel and President Macron to explore ways to enhance cooperation between China and Europe.

President Xi stated, "Our world now requires mutual respect and cooperation more than ever," adding, "China and Europe want to expand cooperation to better respond to global challenges."

He also expressed hope that Europe would provide a more transparent and fair environment for Chinese companies.

In particular, President Xi conveyed his wish for the resumption of ratification discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), an economic cooperation agreement with China that has recently been stalled in Europe.

After more than seven years of negotiations, the CAI was concluded to improve market access for European Union (EU) companies in China, which is emerging as the world's largest market.

However, due to concerns over human rights issues involving the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang region, the European Parliament suspended discussions on CAI ratification in March.

Reflecting this stance on China's human rights issues, Chancellor Merkel and President Macron also raised the issue of Uyghur oppression during the meeting.

According to a statement released by the ?lys?e Palace, the French presidential office, after the meeting, "The two leaders expressed serious concerns about human rights issues in China" and "called again on Chinese authorities to address forced labor issues."

Additionally, the two leaders brought up the Hong Kong issue, including the treatment of pro-democracy protesters, an ?lys?e official added.

However, separate from human rights issues, the three leaders agreed to keep the door open for cooperation on areas such as climate change and COVID-19 response.

Following the meeting, Chinese authorities stated, "France expressed its intention to pursue pragmatic cooperation with China" and "agreed to maintain close communication on issues such as biodiversity protection, climate change, and World Trade Organization (WTO) reform."

German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert also explained in a statement that Chancellor Merkel and President Macron exchanged views with President Xi on current EU-China relations during the meeting.

The three leaders also unanimously emphasized the need for participants in the restoration negotiations of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) to seize the opportunity to restore the agreement, according to officials.

The JCPOA, concluded in 2015 between Iran and six countries including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China) and Germany, limits Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions against Iran.

Amid recent U.S. efforts to contain China, the fact that Germany and France expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation with China during this meeting has drawn attention.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, at the G7 (Group of Seven) summit and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting last month, the U.S. declared a stronger stance against China, but European countries have expressed that cooperation with China is inevitable to overcome economic difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to assessments that cracks are appearing in the anti-China front.

In fact, President Macron stated during the G7 summit, "We will seek ways to cooperate with China," and emphasized that the G7 should not become an anti-China club.

Furthermore, according to the Chinese government statement, during the meeting, Chancellor Merkel expressed support for China's investment projects in Africa and indicated that Germany is willing to join these efforts.

Also, President Xi's emphasis during the meeting that he hopes Europe will play a more active role in the international community is interpreted as a request for European countries to establish a more independent relationship with China without being swayed by U.S. intentions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.