German Chancellor Scholz to Visit on the 4th; Bilateral Foreign Ministers' Call at China's Request
Possibility of China-France Bilateral Meeting at G20 Summit Raised
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to China, the top diplomats of China and France held a phone conversation. There are expectations within China that French President Emmanuel Macron will visit China following Chancellor Scholz. It is also speculated that practical discussions regarding President Macron's visit to China took place during the call between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on the 2nd that Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, and Catherine Colonna, French Foreign Minister, had a phone conversation the previous day. Xinhua added that the call was made at the request of Minister Wang.
During the call, Minister Wang introduced the results of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (20th CPC National Congress), according to Xinhua.
Xinhua also reported that Minister Wang told Minister Colonna that the great ship of China will continue to sail under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping (who is also the President of the State and Chairman of the Central Military Commission).
Minister Wang said, "China will maintain policy continuity toward France and the European Union (EU)" and "China is willing to continue promoting a strategic partnership with France." He further proposed, "The two countries should continuously promote high-level exchanges in various fields and open a new chapter in bilateral relations."
In response, Minister Colonna replied, "France is willing to deepen mutual trust with China and jointly safeguard world peace and stability," Xinhua reported.
Xinhua reported that Minister Wang and Minister Colonna also exchanged views on global issues, including the Ukraine situation.
After the conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress in July, China had expressed its intention to invite the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, and Spain to China.
Chancellor Scholz will officially visit China on the 4th, leading a German economic delegation, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced officially the previous day.
It is reported that there were initial discussions about Chancellor Scholz and President Macron visiting China together. Therefore, attention is focused on the content of the phone call between the Chinese and French foreign ministers. The prevailing expectation is that they exchanged opinions regarding President Macron's visit to China.
However, with the United States and several EU countries strongly criticizing China over human rights issues in Xinjiang and the Taiwan unification issue, an official visit by President Macron to China is unlikely. Additionally, the Western bloc is demanding a clear stance from China on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making it difficult for President Macron to readily accept China's invitation.
Accordingly, there is also the possibility that President Xi Jinping and President Macron will hold a bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, from the 15th to the 16th, instead of an official visit to China.
Within China, the dominant view is that considering trade volumes and other factors, France will inevitably continue to expand economic exchanges with China.
Meanwhile, on the 31st of last month, Minister Wang held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, discussing bilateral issues and global matters. Overseas media, including those in the U.S., are placing weight on the possibility of a bilateral meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and President Xi at the G20 Summit.
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