China’s defence minister on Europe mission as US tries to rally Nato

Wei Fenghe will stop in four countries to send a message that Beijing is not a threat to the transatlantic alliance, analyst says

Wei praises Hungary for its support on issues including Xinjiang, according to defence ministry

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Hungarian President Janos Ader (left) and Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe held talks on the first stop of Wei’s weeklong trip. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:00am, 26 Mar 2021Updated: 6:00am, 26 Mar 2021

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe defended Beijing’s Xinjiang policies as he landed in Europe for a weeklong trip as the US tries to rally countries on the continent to its side.

In a meeting with Hungarian President Janos Ader on Wednesday, Wei pushed back against European Union sanctions imposed on Monday over alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang.

The Chinese defence ministry said Wei “praises Hungary for showing support and speaking for China on issues relating to China’s core concerns, including Xinjiang”.

All 27 EU governments, including Hungary, agreed to the punitive measures. But Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called them “harmful” and “pointless”.

Hungary is the first stop in Wei’s trip, which will also take him to Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia, according to the defence ministry.

The ministry said the trip was to “further promote the traditional friendship and practical cooperation with the defence departments and armies of these countries, and push forward a healthy and stable development of military-to-military relations”.