Chinese engagement or ‘divide and conquer’? Foreign Minister Qin Gang heads to Europe
- Foreign ministry says Qin’s three-nation trip to Europe this week will ‘scale new heights’ with key EU partners
- But Beijing may look to exploit rifts between some nations with hawkish views on China, says one observer
A trip by China’s foreign minister this week to France, Germany and Norway signals Beijing’s intention to rebuild European Union relations as the bloc seeks to “get out of the shadow” of the war in Ukraine, observers said.
The selection of destinations also reflects Beijing’s strategy to increase engagement with European countries that want to adopt a more autonomous China policy, according to observers.
The visits follow trips to China by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November and French President Emmanuel Macron last month. During his visit, Macron signed a 51-point joint statement with Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at deeper exchanges, ranging from agriculture and defence to nuclear energy.
On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Qin and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who met during Macron’s visit, would build on talks the two leaders had earlier and “scale new heights” in their “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
Wang Wenbin also said Qin would use his first meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt since he took office in December to build on recent momentum to advance bilateral relations.