According to media reports on July 3, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent diplomatic dialogue with his EU counterparts included topics that were conveyed with a striking level of directness.
This newfound frankness from the Chinese Foreign Minister reportedly surprised European media and even high-level EU officials, who found the tone unsettling. The shift marks a stark departure from Beijing's typically more moderate and veiled diplomatic approach.
An Unambiguous Stance on the War in Ukraine
During his meeting with EU officials, Foreign Minister Wang stated that Beijing cannot afford to see Russia defeated in the war against Ukraine.
Media reports noted that this candor surprised some European participants, particularly as China has consistently and publicly maintained that it is not a party to the conflict. The expression of this stance is now seen as a de facto admission of Beijing's core concern: that a Russian defeat would free up the United States to concentrate its full attention on confronting China.
Simultaneously, the Chinese Foreign Minister refuted any allegations that China was aiding Moscow, reportedly adding that if such support were real, "the conflict would have ended long ago."
According to the reports, the Chinese side offered its European counterparts some "lessons in history and realpolitik," emphasizing Beijing's strategic perspective: the war on Ukrainian soil preoccupies the United States, preventing it from fully pivoting to a confrontation with China.
The interpretation among some diplomats in Brussels is that while Beijing did not seek a war in Ukraine, a protracted conflict could serve China's strategic interests as long as it keeps the United States engaged in Europe.
A More Direct Approach to China-EU Relations
The dialogue between the Chinese Foreign Minister and his EU counterparts reportedly lasted for approximately four hours. Sources described the conversation as tense but conducted within a framework of mutual respect.
During the talks, China issued a stark warning to the EU that it is prepared to respond to potential sanctions. This comes as the EU is reportedly planning to blacklist two Chinese banks for alleged violations of sanctions against Russia. Should this happen, Beijing threatened to retaliate.
Furthermore, the Chinese side hinted that if the EU does not reconsider its position on sanctions, the China-EU summit tentatively scheduled for July could be curtailed.
This direct form of communication may ultimately prove more effective, as it allows Europe to understand China's position with unmistakable clarity. Consequently, European leaders may be compelled to give greater consideration to Beijing's stance when formulating their China policies.