Merz in Beijing urges China to influence Russia to end war

German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a visit to Beijing, called on the Chinese leadership to use its influence to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Merz made the remarks at a press conference following talks with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang, Ukrinform reports.

“I asked my interlocutors today to use their influence to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Beijing can exert influence on this. We also know that signals from China are taken very seriously in Moscow. This applies to both words and deeds,” the Chancellor said.

Merz welcomed China’s stated commitment to peace and stressed the need for practical steps, in particular preventing the supply to Russia of dual-use goods that could be used against Ukraine.

“We seek cooperation in our diplomatic efforts for peace. We also seek it in practical work to, for example, not supply Russia with dual-use goods that it could use against the people of Ukraine,” he emphasized.

The issue of Ukraine was also reflected in the joint press statement issued by Germany and China following the visit.

“They also discussed the Ukraine issue. They support efforts to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace for Ukraine based on the UN Charter and its principles,” the statement said.

During the meeting, Merz and Xi also discussed the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. The Chancellor noted that Germany and the European Union are interested in security and stability, including in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific. “I made it clear to my interlocutors that Germany's One-China policy remains unchanged, but any effort toward reunification or unification between China and Taiwan can only be achieved peacefully and not by military means,” Merz said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Friedrich Merz paid an official visit to China on February 25–26, which was his first trip to China as Chancellor.

Photo: Bundesregierung / Guido Bergmann