Gov't Official-Scholz To Raise Russia-China Links In Meeting w/Xi

(mNI) London - As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's trip to China approaches (14-16 Apr), wires have carried comments from an unnamed German gov't official regarding the visit. Says that "We need talks at the highest level, China [is] indispensable on global issues." Claims that the chancellor, "does not want decoupling from China, but de-risking is essential." Official: "Scholz will make clear in discussion with [President] Xi that the war in Ukraine touches [the] core interests of Germany and Europe."

• Official: "Chancellor will address Chinese overcapacity [and] push for fair competition."
• Official: "We are watching with concern as China delivers goods to Russia that enable the war in Ukraine...If China positions itself so clearly on the side of aggressor, Russia, this raises fundamental questions on Chinese foreign policy...We see [the] loss of China's reputation in Europe and elsewhere if it takes the side of aggressor Russia so clearly"
• Official: "There was German-Chinese contact in recent hours on tensions between Israel and Iran, China has influence."
• Given the importanceof the Scholz visit to the German economy (Scholz is taking with him a number of CEOs of firms reliant on demand from China), the prospect of any significant criticism of China's 'no-limits partnership' with Russia is limited.