Xi, Scholz seek closer ties in controversial summit

AFP :
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Beijing on Friday, with both sides seeking to deepen economic cooperation on a trip that has prompted criticism over Berlin’s growing reliance on the Asian power.
Scholz is the first G7 leader to visit China since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which led the world’s number two economy to close its borders and Xi to largely eschew in-person diplomacy.
The German leader’s trip, accompanied by top business executives, has sparked controversy at home, coming so soon after Xi strengthened his hold on power. Tensions are also running high between the West and Beijing on issues ranging from Taiwan to alleged human rights abuses.
Received by a smiling Xi at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People shortly after arriving, Scholz said he hoped to “further develop” economic cooperation — while alluding to areas of disagreement. “It is good that we are able to have an exchange here about all questions, including those questions where we have different perspectives — that’s what an exchange is for,” Scholz said.
“We also want to talk about how we can further develop our economic cooperation on other topics: climate change, food security, indebted countries.”
“Xi underscored the need for China and Germany, two major countries with great influence, to work together in times of change and instability and contribute more to global peace and development,” Beijing’s Xinhua News Agency said of the meeting.
Scholz also spoke with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang later in the afternoon at a meeting in which he called for fair trade between the two countries. He urged Beijing to do more to press its ally Russia, currently engaged in a months-long war in Ukraine.
“I told President (Xi) that it is important for China to use its influence on Russia,” Scholz said at a meeting with the press during which the Chinese side insisted there was “not enough time” for questions.
China has steadfastly avoided criticizing Russia for invading Ukraine and instead blames the United States and Nato for the war.