Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has cautioned that the European Union (EU) would encounter grave issues if it persists in curtailing economic connections with China.
“European political leaders seem disinterested in fostering relations with China. Rather, they are keen on severing economic ties or minimizing risks, which we believe would be a regrettable suicide of the European economy,” he stated at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin.
Szijjarto argued that the future of EU-China relations hinges on whether “Europe is prepared to revert to rationality and common sense.”
He also expressed opposition to the perception of China as an adversary to the European Union.
Szijjarto highlighted that the EU and China could boost collaboration in the production of electric vehicles.
Furthermore, Szijjarto confirmed Hungary’s support for China’s peace initiatives on Ukraine.
In response, Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, who attended the meeting, criticized the approach focused on reducing economic ties with China.
“Some in the West praise concepts such as addiction reduction, risk reduction. I fundamentally believe that these are misguided suggestions,” he commented.
In May, following discussions at an informal gathering of EU foreign ministers, Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, disclosed that the ministers concurred on the necessity to reassess their proposed strategy towards China, in light of “the recent internal evolution in China and the trajectory of foreign policy.”
Borrell acknowledged the issue of economic security in the EU’s relationship with China.
Borrell also referred to the situation surrounding Taiwan and events in Ukraine as additional issues in relations with the People’s Republic of China concerning “strategic security.”
