Chinese FM says China, Europe should oppose Cold War mentality
The statements by China's Foreign Minister come as EU foreign ministers attempted to "re-calibrate" their stance on China.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Beijing, China, April 14, 2023. (Reuters)
China and Europe must reject "the Cold War mentality" jointly, said China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Friday, as EU foreign ministers attempted to "re-calibrate" their stance on China.
Read more: Kissinger points to new 'more dangerous' Cold War between China, US
During a visit to Oslo, Qin Gang told reporters that "now some people are hyping up the narrative of democracy versus autocracy and even go to the length of having a new Cold War."
"If we have a new Cold War, the outcomes will be even more disastrous (than previously) and will seriously damage relations and cooperation between China and Europe," Qin added.
Qin highlighted that "China and Europe should join hands to oppose the Cold War mentality and lead enhancing coordination and exchanges among major powers."
The Chinese minister's remarks came while his EU colleagues convened in Stockholm, Sweden, to develop a cohesive approach to dealing with China.
According to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the meeting sought to unite the bloc in order to "recalibrate our position towards China."
Borrell told reporters that "if we want to be relevant on the emergence of China as a great power, European member states have to be more united and act in accordance with a common policy."
The EU and China disagree on a number of topics like Ukraine and Taiwan, with the former following US diktats on both matters.
