Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated on the 3rd that rare earth exports have never been, and should not become, an issue between China and Europe.
He made this response when meeting the media together with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin, in response to a journalist’s question about concerns from European enterprises regarding Chinese export controls on rare earths.
Wang Yi said that implementing necessary controls on dual-use items is an exercise of sovereignty by all countries and is also an international obligation. China's policy is in line with international norms and is conducive to maintaining world peace and stability.
He said that as long as export control regulations are followed and necessary procedures are fulfilled, the normal demands of European enterprises will be met. The Chinese authorities have even set up a 'fast track' specifically for European companies. Some people are deliberately stirring up this issue between China and Europe for ulterior motives.
China and Germany should jointly be advocates of multilateralism, defenders of free trade, and contributors to open development.
In addition, Wang Yi stated that this China-Germany diplomatic and strategic security dialogue was comprehensive, pragmatic, candid, and constructive, enhancing mutual understanding and broadening consensus. Both sides agree that they should follow the right path of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to advance the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership to achieve new development.
He said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, yet unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying are posing severe challenges to the world. With the accelerated evolution of profound changes unseen in a century, major countries should stand at the forefront, act responsibly, follow the inevitable trend of world multipolarity and the tide of economic globalization, and firmly stand on the right side of history. As the world’s second and third largest economies, China and Germany should strengthen exchanges, deepen cooperation, and do three things together: consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, improve the quality of bilateral cooperation, and practice multilateralism.
Wang Yi emphasized that the more complex the international situation is, the more major countries need to strengthen coordination. The greater the risks and challenges, the more all countries need to enhance cooperation. Under the current circumstances, China is willing to work with Germany, uphold a correct view of history, remember the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, strengthen strategic communication, adhere to seeking common ground while reserving differences, deepen pragmatic cooperation, jointly act as advocates of multilateralism, defenders of free trade, contributors to open development, and promote the international order to develop in a more just and reasonable direction.