Chinese FM accuses EU of politicising trade

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said  attempts by some in the EU to politicise trade issues “are not acceptable and will lead to nowhere”.

He said that Beijing had been shocked when Brussels placed sanctions on Chinese officials.

Wang made the remarks less than a week after the EU halted ratification of an investment pact with China until Beijing lifted its own sanctions on EU politicians.

China’s retaliatory sanctions came after Brussels in March blacklisted Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which Beijing denies.

The investment pact was not a “one-sided favour” and stoking political confrontation and economic decoupling did not serve the EU’s interests, Wang said at a talk hosted by the Munich Security Conference.

“China remains ready to expand cooperation with Europe based on mutual respect, ” he added.

“It has never come to our mind that the EU will put sanctions on us,” Wang said, questioning how a strategic partner could take such action.

Wang said the sanctions reminded Chinese people of the days when they were “bullied’’ by European imperialists.

“And as the Chinese government, we have our sovereignty to uphold.

“We have our national dignity to uphold.

“We have to push back falsehoods and disinformation,” he added, explaining why China hit back.

“China is a trustworthy partner of all countries, not a systemic rival locked in confrontation,” Wang said.