German Chancellor Scholz is in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss China’s role in “a just peace in Ukraine.”

Meeting with Xi at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Tuesday, Scholz told the Chinese leader that he hoped to discuss “how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine.”

While China says that it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive.

And China and Russia have, in recent years, ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts. Their strategic partnership has only grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.

Scholz told Xi on Tuesday that “the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and Russia’s armament have a very significant negative impact on security in Europe,” according to a recording provided by the chancellor’s office.

He also touched on areas where he said that the two countries could cooperate, including climate change.

“Only by working together will we be able to find solutions to stop climate change and manage the green energy transition in a socially just way,” Scholz said.

‘Risks and Challenges’

Chinese state media said that Xi had highlighted the importance of ties in the face of “increasing risks and challenges.”

State broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi, saying, “China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world.”

“The two countries should view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective and work together to inject more stability and certainty into the world,” the Chinese leader added.

Scholz is next expected to meet with Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday, sit down with a German-Chinese economic committee and hold a press conference.

Scholz’s visit comes as many of Germany’s Western allies confront China on a range of trade issues.

A slew of probes into state aid for Chinese solar panels, electric cars and wind turbines are ongoing in Brussels.

With AFP