China and Europe can be ballast for peace

There are many common interests between China and the European countries despite their ideological differences. Among these is a shared desire for peace in Ukraine.

An end to the conflict would benefit not just Ukraine and Russia, but also China, the whole of Europe and the rest of the world. The conflict has been one of the factors driving up global inflation. It has caused grain, gas and other material shortages, as supply chains have been broken. Quarrels and antagonism among various parties have also been exacerbated by the hostilities.

Since it has taken a principled position on the crisis rather than simply choosing sides, this dissension has been focused on China. As a result, the conflict has prompted intensifying calls within the US-led camp for decoupling from China.

But with the spillover effects from the crisis worsening, an increasing number of countries are now acknowledging that “an overly simplified or emotionally driven approach” is not the right way forward. Which was something that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang stressed during his visit to Germany on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Reiterating that China is neither the one that created the conflict nor a party to it, Qin reminded his hosts that China has been a consistent advocate for peace and the building of a balanced, effective and durable European security architecture.

Qin was visiting Germany within a month of his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock visiting China. It is to be hoped that Germany is gaining more awareness of China’s sincerity in working for peace and urging the two countries to join hands to share the dividends of development.

Although German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told European Union lawmakers on Tuesday that he agrees with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that “we should not aim for a de-coupling” from China, he also added his voice to hers in calling for “smart de-risking”.

In fact, what many in Germany and European countries seem to hope will happen is that they can continue to follow the United States’ lead while China will leverage its friendly relations with Russia to accept a peace deal dictated by Washington.

But, as Qin told his hosts on Wednesday, what China brings to the world are opportunities, cooperation, stability and reassurance, not crises, confrontation, turmoil or risks. Its 12-point peace proposal is a workable basis on which concerted efforts can be made to secure a cease-fire in Ukraine and get the conflicting parties to negotiate a deal in good faith that will produce durable peace.

Editorial, China Daily