China's Ambassador To France Questions Ex-Soviet States Sovereignty

Ambassador Lu Shaye said Crimea was historically part of Russia and had been offered to Ukraine by former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev [File: Chris Wattie/Reuters]  

Reuters: Paris, Kyiv, Baltic States Dismayed After China Envoy Questions Ukraine Sovereignty 

PARIS (Reuters) -France, Ukraine and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania expressed dismay after China's ambassador in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet countries like Ukraine. 

Asked about his position on whether Crimea is part of Ukraine or not, Chinese ambassador Lu Shaye said in an interview aired on French television on Friday that historically it was part of Russia and had been offered to Ukraine by former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. 

"These ex-USSR countries don't have actual status in international law because there is no international agreement to materialize their sovereign status," Shaye added. 

France responded on Sunday by stating its "full solidarity" with all the allied countries affected, which it said had acquired their independence "after decades of oppression".

"On Ukraine specifically, it was internationally recognized within borders including Crimea in 1991 by the entire international community, including China," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is why he made his remarks .... China’s questioning sovereignty of post-Soviet states is tit-for-tat over Taiwan (SCMP). 

China's Ambassador To France Questions Ex-Soviet States Sovereignty  

Chinese Envoy Questions Sovereignty Of Post-Soviet States -- AFP  

Anger in Europe After Chinese Diplomat Says Ex-Soviet States Not Sovereign -- Bloomberg  

Chinese ambassador under fire in Europe after Taiwan, post-Soviet sovereignty remarks -- Taiwan News  

Furore erupts as Chinese envoy questions post-Soviet states’ sovereignty -- SCMP  

Baltic states condemn China envoy’s remarks over sovereignty of ex-Soviet nations -- The Guardian  

Baltics condemn China envoy's stance on ex-Soviet nations -- AP  

Ukraine slams China envoy’s ‘absurd’ remarks on ex-Soviet nations -- Al Jazeera

EU Foreign Policy Chief Wants European Navies To Patrol The Taiwan Strait

Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks during an interview in Brussels, April 20. EPA-Yonhap  

The Guardian: Taiwan Strait: top EU diplomat calls for European navy patrols 

Josep Borrell says safeguard would show Europe’s commitment to the ‘absolutely crucial’ area European navies should patrol the disputed Taiwan Strait, the EU foreign policy chief has said, echoing earlier comments stressing how crucial Taiwan is to Europe. 

Josep Borrell wrote in an opinion piece in the Journal Du Dimanche that Taiwan “concerns us economically, commercially and technologically”. “That’s why I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to show Europe’s commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area,” he wrote.  

Read more .... 

EU Foreign Policy Chief Asks European Navies To Patrol Taiwan Strait  

Top EU envoy asks European navies to patrol Taiwan Strait -- SCMP  

EU's Borrell asks European navies to patrol Taiwan Strait -- Korea Times  

EU's Borrell Asks European Navies To Patrol Taiwan Strait -- AFP

French President Macron And EU President Ursula von der Leyen's Trip To China Was A Disaster

China's President Xi Jinping, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen meet in Beijing, Apr. 6, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic Marin/ Pool / AFP)  

Politico: Macron fails to move Xi Jinping over Russia’s war on Ukraine  

French leader also commits diplomatic faux pas at Beijing press conference. 

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping showed no sign of changing his position over Russia’s war on Ukraine after talks Thursday with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. 

On the second day of Macron’s state visit to China, Xi took his long-standing line on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — saying that “all sides” have “reasonable security concerns” — and gave no hint he would use his influence to help end the conflict. 

“China is willing to jointly appeal with France to the international community to remain rational and calm,” was as far as the Chinese leader would go during a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: French President Macron And EU President Ursula von der Leyen belief that they could go to Beijing and change Chinese President X's mind on Russia just two weeks after President Xi told Russian President Putin that together they were going to make changes on a global level not seen in 100 years is baffling to me. 

And it gets worse from there. 

French President Macron talked more than twice as long as President Xi, and even more during the press conference. EU President Ursula von der Leyen's just issued threats .... Ursula von der Leyen warns China not to send arms to Russia (The Guardian). 

The media optics showed both European leaders doing a lot of talking, but were they listening? My gut says no. 

But what was really telling is that every-time Macron brought up Ukraine, you can tell by President Xi's sighs that he wanted to discuss other issues.

Europeans Are Souring On China

Presidents Putin and Xi  

Washington Free Beacon: How Russia's War Against Ukraine Has Negatively Impacted Europeans' Views of China  

Europeans' view of China worsens as alliance with Russia grows 

China’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine is having a dramatic—and negative—impact on Europeans’ views of the Communist country, according to a poll published Wednesday. 

China’s partnership with Russia has fueled a shift in public opinion, with a majority of those polled across 13 European countries saying their attitude toward the CCP has worsened during the past year as a result of this relationship. Of the 34 percent of those polled who said they have an unfavorable view of the Communist country, 66 percent attributed that position to the growing Beijing-Moscow alliance. 

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WNU Editor: It is not only China's close ties to Russia that is negatively impacting European views of China. There is China's Covid policies. Its treatment of its minorities. Threats against Taiwan. And a place where many European industries have relocated thereby exporting jobs from Europe to China.

Finland's PM Says Europe Is Too Dependent On China For Technologies

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin arrives at the Informal EU 27 Summit and Meeting within the European Political Community at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, October 6, 2022. REUTERS/David W Cerny  

Reuters: Europe is too dependent on China for technologies, Finland's PM says 

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Europe is currently too reliant on China for technologies and should be wary of this dependency, Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Thursday. 

"Let's be honest, we have vulnerabilities already. We see it when we look at chips or semiconductors, we are too dependent," Marin said, speaking at Slush, an annual startup event in Helsinki. 

Marin said Europe had lessons to learn from its dependency on Russian energy that led to the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, as well as the lack of medical supplies seen during the COVID pandemic.  

Read more ...  

Update #1: Finnish PM: We are too dependent on Taiwan for chips (Politico)  

Update #2: Finnish PM warns Europe overreliant on Taiwan's chips (Taiwan News) 

WNU Editor: Europe is dependent on energy from others. Europe is dependent on Asia for technology. Europe is dependent on the U.S. for its defense and security.

I have been hearing Europeans talk like this for decades. But in the end they do nothing about it.

EU, China Clash Over Ukraine

Chinese president Xi Jinping, top, speaks during a video meeting on Friday with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, lower left, and European Council president Charles Michel © Yin Bogu/Xinhua/AP 

Reuters: China tells EU it will pursue Ukraine peace in its own way 

BRUSSELS/BEIJING (Reuters) -China offered the European Union assurances on Friday that it would seek peace in Ukraine but said this would be on its own terms, deflecting pressure for a tougher stance towards Russia. 

Premier Li Keqiang told EU leaders that Beijing would push for peace in "its own way", while President Xi Jinping said he hoped the EU would treat China "independently", in a nod to Europe's close ties with the United States. 

The EU told Beijing during the virtual summit with Li and Xi not to allow Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This summit did not end well. 

 EU, China Clash Over Ukraine  

EU, China Clash Over Ukraine Conflict -- WSJ  

At EU-China summit, Beijing slams curbs on Russia, blames US for war -- Times of India/AP  

China resists tougher Russia response at ‘frank’ summit with EU -- Al Jazeera  

China calls on EU to act independently of US foreign policy -- Financial Times  

China Calls U.S. 'Leading Instigator' of Russia, Ukraine Conflict -- Newsweek 

EU, China agree on Ukraine war threat, EU's Michel -- Reuters

China's EU Envoy Says There Will Be No Compromise On Taiwan, Sanctions, Trade

Mr. Zhang Ming, China’s Ambassador to the EU.  

Reuters: China's EU Envoy Says No Flexibility on Taiwan, Sanctions, Trade 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - China will never change its position on Taiwan and will also not shift its view that the European Union must lift its sanctions if a new Sino-EU investment deal is to be ratified, China's ambassador to the EU said on Tuesday. 

Despite plans for an EU-China summit by the end of this year, Zhang Ming's comments offered little hope for a diplomatic breakthrough after EU countries such as Lithuania increased contacts with Taiwan this year.

"If anything changes, it is that the Chinese people's resolve to realise complete reunification of our country grows even stronger," Zhang said of Taiwan. 

"Some people in Europe seem to underestimate the Chinese people's aspiration for a reunification of our country," he told an online think-tank event in Brussels.  

Read more ....  

Update: China ready for ‘decisive measures’ over Taiwan (RT)  

WNU Editor: These remarks by Ambassador Zhang Ming happened only a few hours after President Biden's virtual summit with Chinese President Xi where all of these issues were discussed. 

Is China sending a message to the Biden administration as well as Europe?

China Threatens European Union Over Vote In Support Of Taiwan

The European Commission's executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager delivers a speech during a debate on EU-Taiwan relations and cooperation at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on October 19. © Reuters  

Washington Examiner: ‘Vile’: China threatens European Union over vote in support of Taiwan 

European Union legislators voted overwhelmingly in favor of trade talks with Taiwan and other measures flouting China’s claims to sovereignty over the island, leaving officials in Beijing fuming at the display of tension between Western democracies and the communist regime. 

“It is vile in nature and has an egregious impact,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Thursday. “A word for the relevant side: Do not underestimate the Chinese people's determination, will, and capacity to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”  

Read more .... 

More News On China Threatening The European Union Over Vote In Support Of Taiwan 

China condemns, rejects EU report on ties with Taiwan region -- CGTN 

EU lawmakers push for closer ties with Taiwan amid rising Chinese pressure -- Reuters 

China Fumes As Europe Gets Closer to Taiwan -- Newsweek 

Borrell: China’s threats to Taiwan pose risk to EU -- Politico.eu  

European Parliament ready to 'upgrade' Taiwan relations -- Taiwan News  

As China grows more belligerent, democracies draw closer to Taiwan -- Japan Times

In A Three-Way Video Call China's Xi Tells Macron And Merkel He Hopes To Expand Cooperation With Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron give a news statement in Berlin. © Reuters/AXEL SCHMIDT  

TOI/ANI: Xi Jinping holds video conference with French, German leaders amid strained ties with EU 

BEIJING: Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday held a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel amid strained ties with Europe. 

According to Global Times, the leaders of France and Germany According to Global Times, the leaders of France and Germany expressed their support behind an EU-China investment agreement which European Parliament voted to freeze the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) in May. 

They agreed to continue to work together on issues such as climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and international trade. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Merkel, Macron discuss EU ties, trade, climate with China's Xi (Reuters)  

Update #2: China's Xi tells Macron, Merkel he hopes to expand cooperation with Europe (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: China is its own worse enemy when it comes to international relations .... China's 'Tone-Deaf' Diplomacy Hardens Attitudes in Europe, Brussels Expert Says (Newsweek).

Europe Moves Away From China

An attendant walks past EU and China flags ahead of the EU-China High-level Economic Dialogue at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China June 25, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee  

Bloomberg: China Tensions Spill Over as Europe Moves Toward Biden’s Side 

(Bloomberg) -- A major investment deal reached in December between the European Union and China — after seven years of painful negotiations — may end up being the high-water mark for ties that are quickly deteriorating again. 

Since then, the EU’s executive branch and Germany have each formulated legislation that would make life harder for Chinese entities to invest, while joining the U.S. in swapping tit-for-tat sanctions with Beijing. 

Italy’s government has turned from an enthusiastic backer of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative to blocking planned acquisitions by Chinese companies. And in France, China’s ambassador didn’t even show up when summoned in March, citing “agenda reasons.” 

Read more ....  

WNU editor: Europe has found some back-bone .... EU slams China’s ‘authoritarian shift’ and broken economic promises (Politico.eu). More here .... EU blames China for endangering peace in South China Sea (Reuters).  

Update: More European backbone being shown .... EU ‘suspends’ ratification of China investment deal after sanctions (The Guardian). More here .... EU-China investment deal put on ice over sanctions (DW), and here .... EU trade chief says efforts to ratify China deal ‘suspended’ (Politico).

EU Imposes Sanctions On Four Chinese Officials Over Xinjiang Abuses

 

DW: EU slaps sanctions on China for abuses against Uyghurs 

The European Union has agreed to sanction China for human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in the country's northwestern Xinjiang province. 

The European Union agreed on Monday to sanction China for human rights abuses against the Uyghurs at a foreign ministers meeting Monday in Brussels. 

Four regional and party representatives, as well as a construction firm from Xinjiang province, were added to the EU sanctions list, with their names published in the EU Official Journal. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Only four officials and the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau (PSB) are sanctioned. These sanctions are a joke. The Chinese leadership who are responsible for what is happening in Xinjiang province are being left alone. 

Update: China says it will retaliate .... Exclusive: China formulating countermeasures against planned EU sanctions over Xinjiang; no escape for some EU institutions and poorly behaving individuals (Global Times). 

Update #2: That was fast .... China sanctions EU officials in response to Uyghur row (DW)  

 More News On The EU Imposing Sanctions On China 

EU slaps sanctions on 4 Chinese officials over Uyghur abuses -- AP 

EU imposes China sanctions over Xinjiang abuses; first in three decades -- Reuters 

EU agrees first sanctions on China in more than 30 years -- Euronews 

EU imposes sanctions on four Chinese officials -- Politico

Europe Is Ignoring President-Elect Biden's Pleas To Work Together Against China With Their Latest Chinese Trade Deal

Flags of European Union and China on display as European Commission officials and Chinese President Xi Jinping approve an investment pact between China and the European Union on December 30, 2020, in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: AFP/Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency 

Alan Tonelson, National Interest: The European Union Is Bludgeoning Joe Biden on China 

The European talks with Beijing on the investment deal represented the first test of the Biden China strategy, and its failure couldn’t be more clear. 

President-elect Joe Biden says that, although he’s hoping for and expects some cooperation from Congressional Republicans once he assumes office, he’s also ready for a “punch in the mouth” from his political opponents. 

On Wednesday, though, he faced an at least equally important question about both political pugilism and about his vaunted foreign policy expertise: Has he been ready for a punch in the mouth from America’s allies? Because that’s what he got from the European Union when it announced that it’s reached what it, anyway, considers to be a major investment deal with China. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: So much for Biden's promises and commitment to work with our European allies on issues like China. The EU has chosen to ignore him by accelerating their talks with China after Trump's election defeat, and reaching this deal within weeks .... EU-China trade agreement, step forward or tripwire? (Asia times). 

Bottom line. 

Europe are clearly signaling to everyone that they see Biden as a weak President when compared to President Trump, and they are confident that a Biden administration will do nothing to stop them. In my opinion the EU is right. 

The media is also downplaying this split between the incoming Biden administration and Europe .... EU-China deal may give Biden’s team more options (Asia Times). 

As to what is my take on the EU - China deal itself. I think this deal is a huge mistake for Europe, and it is being done because Brussels is desperate on how to address the current Covid-19 recession that is now getting worse. They are hoping that with this deal China will address the huge trade imbalances that they are now currently enjoying with Europe, and respond by opening their markets. Here is an easy prediction. Beijing will not change their their trade policies to accommodate the EU. Here is a good analysis on why .... The EU Is At Risk Of Becoming Subservient To China (Advancing time).

China Is Now The EU's Largest Trading Partner

China EU Photo:VCG 

Global Times: China becomes EU’s largest trade partner 

China has become the EU's largest trade partner for the first time, latest data shows, highlighting that the economic ties of the close comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU are intertwined with each other's industrial chain. 

The data also discredits some media reports that Beijing's hopes of using Europe as a counterweight to the US have faltered, as China faces rising anger over its policies and behavior including trade. 

Chinese experts said the noise will not have any impact on sound trade relations between the two economies. Read more .... 

WNU Editor: I do not know how long this will last. China is not only replacing the EU in the global supply chain .... China Fast Replacing Europe In Global Supply Chain (Forbes), but China also enjoys an unsustainable but massive trade deficit with the EU that was $164 Euros in 2019 (link here), and is projected to be even more in 2020. 

I for one will not be surprised if in 2021 the EU will start to impose tariffs and trade restrictions on Chinese goods.

Update: China has also replaced the U.S. as the top foreign market for companies across Asia-Pacific .... China Beats U.S. as Top Market for Asia-Pacific Firms, HSBC Says (Bloomberg).

EU Proposes New Rules To Block Chinese Backed State Firms From Taking Over European Firms

Bloomberg

CNBC: EU proposes new rules to tackle takeovers from state-backed firms like those in China

* The proposal kicks off a discussion period that lasts until September.
* State influence has often been discussed in the EU, but the ongoing pandemic has made the issue even more pressing as many businesses are struggling for cash.
* “There is a lot of money coming into the union,” Vestager told reporters, adding that this is why her team needs new tools to oversee it.

The EU is making it harder for Chinese and other foreign state-backed firms to buy stakes in European companies, as concerns grow over unfair competition.

The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, proposed Wednesday to have a bigger say when foreign state-backed firms buy stakes in European companies to a point where it could prohibit the merger — if its deemed that it could create market distortions.

The proposal kicks off a discussion period that lasts until September, but it comes after Germany and France pushed for changes at the top level. In a letter sent to the EU in February, both governments said it should revise its guidelines regarding mergers, as European firms were increasingly fighting against players that received “substantial state support.”

Read more ....

Update #1: Europe is building defenses against Chinese takeovers of key industries (CNN)
Update #2: Brussels forges new weapons to shield EU market from China (Politico)

WNU Editor: Do to China what China does to everyone else.

Polls Show Support For China Has Fallen Dramatically In Europe And India

Gatestone Institute: Support for China Falls Dramatically in European, Indian Polls

A soon to be released international survey finds that when the COVID-19 virus finally burns itself out its biggest victim may be the very country that launched the pandemic —China.

Bluster, bullying, and propaganda launched by China's leadership to subdue international criticism of their handling of COVID-19 is only stoking the anger among nations as diverse as the U.K., Germany and India, according to data revealed during a comprehensive poll conducted by the firm McLaughlin & Associates.

They may not embrace the White House on any given issue but when it comes to China, a large and significant number of those polled in this global COVID-19 survey would now support economic sanctions, confronting China's strategy to achieve global dominance by controlling worldwide access to technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and more.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I am willing to bet that this negative view towards China is even higher than what these polls show.

EU Defends China After Beijing Censors EU Ambassador's Letter To A Chinese Newspaper

DW: EU defends censorship of letter in Chinese newspaper

EU officials have backed a decision to accept China's censorship of a letter that ran in a Chinese newspaper. A sentence referencing China as the origin of the coronavirus outbreak was removed before publication.

The European Union on Thursday defended its decision to consent to Chinese censorship of a letter co-written by the bloc's 27 ambassadors, ahead of its publication in Chinese media.

The opinion piece appeared in China's English-language newspaper China Daily on Tuesday, but a sentence that linked the initial source of the coronavirus outbreak to China was removed.

The EU had raised "very serious concerns" about the request to censor the article. But it agreed to its publication as it meant the bloc could communicate with the Chinese audience on other key EU issues, such as climate change, human rights and the pandemic response, said EU foreign affairs spokesperson Virginie Battu-Henriksson in Brussels.

"China has state-controlled media. There is censorship, that's a fact," Battu-Henriksson said.

The EU, nevertheless, regretted that the article had not been published in full, she added.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is what EU appeasement looks like when it comes to China. The proper course of action was to remove the letter, and to rebuke the Chinese government. Instead, a letter was published in the name of 27 EU ambassadors that referred to "human rights," but avoided mentioning Chinese internment camps in Xinjiang, crackdowns on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and the disappearance of whistleblowers. The complete letter is here .... EU-China ties vital amid global crisis (China Daily).

Update: EU ambassador to China criticizes the U.S. for current U.S.-China tensions .... EU ambassador to China says rising Sino-U.S. tensions not helpful (Reuters). More here .... U.S.-China tensions hurting global coronavirus response: EU diplomat (The Hill). With allies like this, who needs enemies. What the EU Ambassador and the EU as a whole should be demanding is that China be transparent on participating in an investigation/probe on the origins of the Coronavirus pandemic. 150,000+ Europeans have died because of this pandemic, and China's refusal to participate in this investigation needs to be roundly condemned.

More News On Beijing Censoring EU Ambassador's Letter To A Chinese Newspaper

Coronavirus: EU regret after state-run newspaper China Daily removes COVID-19 mention from op-ed -- Euronews
EU Complains of Chinese Censorship After State Media Deletes Diplomats' Reference to Pandemic Origins -- Newsweek
E.U. defends handling of China relations after Beijing censors op-ed written by bloc’s ambassadors -- Washington Post
EU Officials' Opinion Piece In Chinese Newspaper Censored On Coronavirus Origin -- NPR
EU’s pivot to China falls foul of Beijing’s censors -- Politico

Where Does Europe Stand? On The Side Of The US Or China?

President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing in November. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Mathias Döpfner, Business Insider: The coronavirus pandemic makes it clear: Europe must decide between the US and China

* China's push for global economic and technological dominance has left Europe pulled between China and the continent's long-time partner, the US.
* The coronavirus pandemic makes it clear that Europe, particularly Germany, is running out of time to choose between the US and China.
* The democratic values of the US compared to the authoritarian values of China make the choice clear.

Crises always have a habit of clarifying things. The coronavirus crisis is no different.

Once a treatment for the virus has been found, the debates about shutdown and easing restrictions have passed, and the recession has reared its ugly head, nothing less than the world order itself must be clarified. Or to be more specific: the matter of alliance. Where does Europe stand? On the side of the US or China?

Let us first look at a few assumptions and a few facts. America, the democratic world power, is currently governed by a narcissistic president — a man seen to be vulgar, uneducated, and with a volatile character who lacks any sense whatsoever for institutions. Half of Americans and three quarters of Europeans have no respect for him.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: European leaders have always looked at developing a closer relationship with China to not only diversify their exports, but to have leverage against the U.S.. But that has not happened. Europe's trade imbalance with China has only grown, helped by Chinese restrictions on European imports. And as for leverage against the U.S. .... totally ineffective in the age of Trump. So who will Europe decide to have closer relations with? Unfortunately for Europe, the same leaders and institutions that made and implemented the policies of the past decade to have better ties with China are the same ones who will determine Europe's future relationship with the U.S. and China. Being a good student of human behaviour, I for one will not be surprised if Europe doubles down on forging closer relations with China. Pandemic or no pandemic.

EU Report On China's Covid-19 Disinformation Campaign Is Dropped After Beijing Threatened 'Repercussions'

A diplomatic source said the EU was worried about retaliation from Beijing. Photo: Reuters

SCMP: EU toned down report on Chinese disinformation after Beijing threatened ‘repercussions’, diplomatic sources say

* Sources tell South China Morning Post that references to Beijing’s efforts to deflect blame for the Covid-19 outbreak were removed due to fears it would withhold medical supplies in revenge
* Initial version accused China of running ‘global disinformation campaign’ and used ‘covert and overt’ tactics

The European Union toned down part of a report about Chinese state-backed disinformation because it feared Beijing would retaliate by withholding medical supplies, diplomatic sources have said.

The initial version of the report, seen by the South China Morning Post, described China as running a “global disinformation campaign” to deflect blame for the coronavirus outbreak using “both overt and covert tactics”.

But the Post has learnt that this section was removed after Beijing intervened and warned EU diplomats based in China there would be unspecified repercussions.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: 120,000 Europeans have died from this pandemic (and climbing), but their leaders are frozen with fear when it comes to assigning responsibility for this disaster on China, and criticizing China's disinformation campaign.So who is running the EU? Brussels of Beijing?

More On The EU Dropping Their Report On China's Covid-19 Disinformation Campaign

China pressured EU to drop COVID disinformation criticism: sources -- Reuters
EU Waters Down Report on China's Coronavirus Propaganda -- New York Times
EU officials 'watered down report on China's coronavirus fake news campaign after pressure from Chinese leaders' - with stacks of findings edited out -- Daily Mail
EU report on Chinese, Russian coronavirus disinformation watered down after pressure from Beijing: reports -- The Hill
EU softened criticism on Chinese disinformation over fear of 'repercussions,' according to reports -- FOX News
China put pressure on EU to soften coronavirus disinformation report -- Politico
China reportedly lobbied the EU to dial down criticism of its Covid-19 disinformation campaigns -- VOX News

Europe Does Not Want To Confront China Over 'Bogus Coronavirus Death Numbers'

BBC: Coronvirus: Europe 'wary of confronting China over deaths'

China is continuing to under-report the true levels of deaths from Covid-19, national security officials in London and Washington believe.

But European officials are wary about directly challenging China over the figures, sources told the BBC. That concern also extends to confronting Beijing over an information campaign to improve its standing and distract from blame in the crisis.

China has denied allegations of a cover up, saying it has been transparent about its efforts to battle the virus.

On 17 April, officials in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak is believed to have begun, raised the death toll from Covid-19 by 50 per cent overnight. They said the sharp increase reflected updated reporting and deaths outside hospitals, insisting there had been no cover-up.

But several officials in London and Washington say they still believe the picture is not an accurate reflection of the death toll, and that the central government in Beijing knows this. They do not however believe China knows the real figure for certain and is hiding it.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: European governments are wary that if they anger China they may end-up getting little if any medical supplies from them. Everyone knows the Chinese numbers are bogus, but no one wants to talk about the 800lb gorilla in the living room. Ditto on how China behaved when this virus first broke out. First denying that it was serious, condemning moves to close borders, closing its own borders when the rest of the world became infected, and then followed by its refusal to permit international inspectors to come in and inspect the facilities in Wuhan that are suspected to have started this pandemic. In any other situation these European governments will be screaming bloody murder over the death of 100,000+ Europeans (and counting). But aside a few remarks from the French, U.K., and German leaders, their silence has been (and still is) deafening.But while European governments are silent, their citizens are not. There is a great deal of anger in Europe, and there will be a reckoning over what China did.

Central and Eastern European Countries Are Dissatisfied With China

SCMP: Europe’s ‘17+1’ countries dissatisfied with China relations, report says, as summit is postponed

* Trade deficit with China has grown and the 17 Central and Eastern European nations should demand more from Beijing, European scholars write
* Coronavirus has forced the delay of China’s summit with the bloc, multiple sources confirm

Central and Eastern European countries have become increasingly dissatisfied with the economic results of their “17+1” initiative
with China, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The report by the China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe – a group of scholars associated with Prague think tank the Association for International Affairs – found that all 17 European countries in the initiative had seen their trade deficit with China increase since the group was established in 2012.

It came as it was confirmed that this month’s planned 17+1 summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders from the European nations has been postponed because of the coronavirus.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: These European countries are finding out what many others have found out when it comes to dealing with China on trade. China makes promises and commitments in public, but later these promises and commitments are ignored. China's lack of transparency on the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus at the beginning of this year has also seriously damaged ties with these European countries.