New | Full text: Interview with Michael Clauss, German ambassador to China

Full text of South China Morning Post's interview with German ambassador to China, Michael Clauss

Q: What do you think about China and Russia forming a close partnership to counter balance western influence?

A: Some observers have portrayed the Sino-Russian gas deal as a new alliance between China and Russia directed against the west. I don’t share this analysis. China and Russia do have common interests, but they also have diverging views on many other issues. For one thing China has not recognized the annexation of the Crimea peninsula by Russia. Secondly, you may also consider the Chinese vote on the UN resolution criticizing Russia. I think it came as a surprise to the Russians that China abstained and did not side with them. My reading is that there is a certain form of partnership between China and Russia. But this partnership is not an alliance directed against the west.

China has no interest in alienating the west. China needs the USA and Europe for its internal development, for reforms and for the exports markets. The United States and Europe are by far the biggest export markets for China. Between China and the EU alone the total trade volume accounted for more than 420 billion Euros last year.

Q: The fear that China and Russia are forming some kind of alliance is exaggerated?

A: Yes, that's what I would call it, exaggerated. There is definitely common ground between China and Russia. But there are also common interests China shares with western countries, especially with Germany. We have discussed the situation in Ukraine in depth with our Chinese friends. And we share the view that we want to see de-escalation. One thing we both want to avoid is a new cold war.