The Chinese authorities blocked a video by European Council President Charles Michel. It was not allowed to be shown on November 4 at the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), a major trade expo in Shanghai. Beijing had planned to show Michel’s speech along with those from other foreign dignities, including the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, and the presidents of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Belarus.
However, in his pre-recorded video speech, the European Council president asked China to take the right side on the Russia-Ukraine war. Michel said, “China has a role in using its influence to stop Russia’s brutal war … through your so-called ‘no-limits’ partnership with Russia.” “You, China, can help put an end to this.” His video also warned about Europe becoming overly dependent on Russia or China. “In Europe, we want balance in our trade relations … in order to avoid over-dependencies,” Michel said. “This is also true of our trade relations with China.”
Michel’s office asked China for an explanation.
Source: China News, November 8, 2022
https://news.creaders.net/china/2022/11/08/2544742.html