China ‘not on influence mission’ in central and eastern Europe

Chinese foreign minister says cooperation with region pragmatic and focused on trade

After talks with counterparts from Serbia and Poland, Wang Yi to meet foreign ministers from Hungary and Ireland

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Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic (left) and his counterpart Wang Yi hold talks on Saturday. Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 4:12pm, 30 May 2021Updated: 11:25pm, 30 May 2021

China is not on a mission to establish a “sphere of influence” through its cooperation with central and eastern European countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after talks on the weekend with his Serbian and Polish counterparts.

The meetings in Guiyang in southwestern Guizhou province are among several Wang will have with four European foreign ministers over three days.

It is China’s first face-to-face engagement with the European countries in the wake of the stalled discussion in the European Parliament of its landmark investment deal with Beijing.

After talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic on Saturday, Wang said China’s cooperation with central and eastern Europe was an important part of the overall China-EU relationship, helping to balance development in Europe and speed up its integration.

He also stressed that it was pragmatic, focusing on the economy and trade, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement released on Sunday.

“The cooperation between China and central and eastern European countries ... does not involve defence and security sectors. It has never had a geopolitical strategic intention, nor has it been intended to create the so-called sphere of influence,” Wang said.

“Meanwhile we have always emphasised the need for cooperation to stick to market rules and European Union standards, and to respect all participating sides.”