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欧盟新任驻华大使:需要中国领导世界、支持两岸和平统一

(2022-07-20 16:39:09) 下一个

欧盟新任驻华大使:需要中国领导世界、支持两岸和平统一 

2022-07-20 21:06

【文/观察者网 齐倩】欧盟新任驻华大使阿尔比尼亚纳(Jorge Toledo Albinana)近日接受媒体采访时表示,“我们认为应该只有一个中国”,欧盟不主张“台独”,而是支持两岸和平统一。他还反对欧盟-中国“脱钩论”,坚称中国是欧盟的合作伙伴,且在全球治理议题上“有必要”让中国领导世界。

果然,阿尔比尼亚纳的表态令台当局跳脚,台外事部门还“提醒”欧盟称,注意台湾在全球供应链中的地位。但欧盟方面并未理会。据美国《新闻周刊》19日报道,欧盟发言人在一份声明中表示,欧盟并未改变明确的“一个中国”政策,同时鼓励两岸问题和平解决。

西班牙《先锋报》采访截图

 

今年6月,西班牙外交官阿尔比尼亚纳被提名为新任欧盟驻华大使。阿尔比尼亚纳现年57岁,生于德国,毕业于西班牙萨拉戈萨大学法律系。外交生涯曾任西班牙驻塞内加尔大使、西班牙外交部负责欧盟事务的国务秘书等职,2018年年底至2022年年初担任西班牙驻日本大使。

7月17日,阿尔比尼亚纳接受西班牙《先锋报》采访,阐述他的对华外交理念。

一开始,阿尔比尼亚纳就强调中国是欧盟的“合作伙伴”和最重要的贸易伙伴。他强调,“让中国领导世界是有必要的”,因为没有中国的帮助,欧盟无法应对疫情、气候变化和伊朗核问题等全球性挑战。

当被反复追问中国是否是欧盟的“竞争对手”时,阿尔比尼亚纳给出了肯定的回答,同时补充说,欧盟和中国之间不需要斗争而是需要谈判,同时提醒中欧“脱钩”将“引发一场大灾难”。

“欧盟将中国定义为系统性对手,因为我们是价值观和政治制度截然不同的社会”,阿尔比尼亚纳进一步阐述道,这意味着欧盟不希望中国对外输出模式,但并不意味着欧盟“应该追求中国的政权更迭”。

对于如何处理与中国、美国的关系,阿尔比尼亚纳也有自己的见解。他说,欧盟应利用自身的地缘政治背景和市场优势成为世界地缘政治舞台上的主角之一,“作为美国的盟友并不意味着我们要在所有事情上同美国结盟”。“欧盟支持多边主义,支持世界贸易组织等国际机构的运作,而这些机构让中国受益匪浅。”

谈及台湾问题时,阿尔比尼亚纳明确表示,欧盟捍卫的不是“台独”,而是两岸和平统一,“我们认为应该只有一个中国”。但他随后声称,一旦发生“军事入侵”,欧盟、美国及其他盟友会对华采取像对待俄罗斯那样甚至更严厉的措施。

欧盟新任驻华大使阿尔比尼亚纳(资料图)

美国《新闻周刊》19日发文称,阿尔比尼亚纳上述表态发表于欧盟政坛“挺台之风”盛行之际,近一段时间,多名欧洲议会议员窜访台湾地区。阿尔比尼亚纳关于“一个中国”的表述并没有同欧盟的既定政策相背离,但其对于和平统一的认可显然为欧盟谨慎做法“增添了一层新的色彩”。

果不其然,台湾民进党当局随即跳脚表示反对。另据台湾“联合新闻网”报道,台外事部门发言人19日在新闻发布会上提醒称,台当局同欧盟“共享自由、民主、人权的共享价值”,且在全球供应链供给中扮演不可或缺的地位。

当天晚些时候,欧盟发言人斯塔诺(Peter Stano)通过电子邮件回应称,“我们有明确的‘一个中国’政策且最近没有改变,欧盟和欧盟成员国仍然致力于欧盟的‘一个中国’政策”,同时,欧盟鼓励通过对话和平解决两岸问题。

EU Envoy Endorses China's 'Peaceful Reunification' With Taiwan

BY 

The European Union's incoming ambassador to Beijing has struck a conciliatory tone by declaring the bloc's support for China's "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, triggering displeasure in Taipei.

"The EU does not advocate independence for Taiwan, but peaceful reunification," Jorge Toledo, 57, told Spain's La Vanguardia newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.

"We believe there should be only one China, but in the event of a military invasion we have made it very clear that the EU, with the United States and its allies, will impose similar or even greater measures than we have now taken against Russia," said Toledo, who is set to replace Frenchman Nicolas Chapuis as the EU's ambassador to China.

The Spanish diplomat's remarks about "one China" weren't an obvious departure from the EU's stated policy toward sensitive relations across the Taiwan Strait. However, his endorsement of "reunification"—phraseology favored by Beijing—added a new layer to the bloc's otherwise cautious approach, which only promises to deepen economic ties with Taiwan while committing not to recognize the island's statehood.

EU Envoy Endorses China-Taiwan 'Peaceful Reunification'Taiwanese civilians in tactical gear and replica weapons take part in an urban warfare workshop on June 18, 2022, in New Taipei City. China has not renounced the use of force to achieve its political goal of “unification” with Taiwan, whose residents are gearing up to resist any potential invasion.SAM YEH/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

 

China has never governed the democratic island but claims it as part of its territory. Taiwan, meanwhile, says it's already an independent country, and its public has shown little interest in being ruled from Beijing.

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain bottlenecks around the world, Taiwan's advances in high-end semiconductors became a particular point of interest for leaders and business communities in the West. Last month, the EU upgraded investment talks with the island, with a focus on chips.

Doubtless aware of the political sensitivities surrounding interactions with Taiwan, Brussels has stepped up its economic engagement with Taipei in what could be perceived as a win-win for both. However, the EU may find it difficult to balance its vital trading relationship with China against Taiwan's need to remain a dignified player in the partnership.

 
Joanne Ou, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, reminded reporters at a regular press briefing on Tuesday about the island's important geostrategic importance as well as the role it plays in the global supply chain.

"The sovereignty of our country cannot be disparaged, violated or annexed," said Ou. "The sovereignty of Taiwan belongs only to the people of Taiwan, and only the people of Taiwan can decide Taiwan's future."

Reached by email, EU spokesperson Peter Stano told Newsweek: "We have a clear One China Policy that has not changed recently. The EU and EU Member States remain committed to the EU's One China policy. Within this policy, we are also pursuing friendly relations and close cooperation with Taiwan in a wide range of areas.

"The EU has an interest in preserving peace and the status quo in the Taiwan Strait as well as Taiwan's democratic system of governance. We encourage a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. Tensions should be resolved through dialogue."

Toledo's interview, which revolved around the EU's wider relations with China, didn't paint Beijing in a wholly positive light. The diplomat, who takes office in the Chinese capital in September, described the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping as "flexing its muscles, especially in the South China Sea."

"We cannot tolerate China violating the rules of international law accepted by all and occupying areas that do not belong to it," he said.

Still, Toledo spoke out against decoupling; mutually dependent EU-China economic ties mean disengagement would cause a "cataclysm," he told the paper. Echoing prevailing views in Washington, he referenced the necessity of working with Beijing to address issues of global concern.

"It is essential and necessary to count on China for global governance. Without its help we cannot address global challenges such as the pandemic and the climate crisis," he said.

The strongest support for Taiwan in the EU has typically come from the European Parliament. Last October, the EP voted overwhelmingly in favor of upgrading political and economic ties with Taipei, before a group of European lawmakers visited the island a few weeks later.

Nicola Beer, a German lawmaker and one of the EP's vice presidents, urged more support for Taiwan as she landed in the Taiwanese capital at the start of a three-day official visit on Tuesday.

"There is no room for Chinese aggression in democratic Taiwan. For the moment, we witness war in Europe. We do not want to witness war in Asia. Now is the moment to stand firm on the side of Taiwan—you and us, we are family of democracies," she said.

"Taiwan's bloom is also Europe's bloom. We won't have a blind eye on China's threats to Taiwan. Europe was late for Hong Kong; we won't be late for Taiwan," Beer said.

Jorge Toledo: "We need China to rule the world"

https://www.usanews.net/breaking/jorge-toledo-we-need-china-to-rule-the-world-h27666.html

Jorge Toledo Albiñana is the new ambassador of the European Union in China.

 16 July 2022 Saturday 22:48

Jorge Toledo: "We need China to rule the world"Jorge Toledo Albiñana is the new ambassador of the European Union in China. On September 1, if the pandemic allows it, he will be in Beijing to assume his position, one of the most important that Spanish diplomacy has had in the EU foreign service. On Monday he was at the Barcelona Equestrian Circle to address the challenges of his new position. One of the main ones will be convincing China that it is one of the countries that has benefited most from the world order that emerged from World War II and that cooperation with the West must continue.

Can China be a rival and a partner at the same time?

The EU strategy defines it as a partner. It is essential and necessary to have China to rule the world. Without your help we cannot tackle global challenges like the pandemic and the climate crisis. It is an important partner in reaching an agreement with Iran on nuclear weapons.

But the EU also defines it as a commercial and systemic rival.

China is the second economy in the world in terms of GDP and the first if we take into account purchasing power parity, that is, what can be done with a dollar.

Are we business competitors?

The EU and China are the world's most important trading partners. Trade between the EU and China is worth more than €2,000 a day. It is greater than the trade between China and the United States or between China and India. That said, we are also competitors. But we do not have to fight, but rather negotiate so that European companies that export to China have the same conditions as Chinese companies that export to Europe, something that is not happening now.

Is there a risk of disengagement?

There is, but not by the will of China. Western businessmen are the ones who have seen the need to rethink production. The pandemic exposed the vulnerability of value chains. States, for their part, do not want excessive reliance on materials such as rare earths and on technologies that may be subject to sanctions. However, China's exports to Europe continue to grow. Chinese foreign trade continues to grow. That is why the disengagement would cause a cataclysm. Despite the ongoing deglobalization, the world is tremendously intertwined. We depend on each other.

And systemic rivalry?

The EU defines China as a systemic rival because we are societies with very different values ??and political systems. We do not want you to export your model, but this does not mean that we should pursue regime change in China.

NATO accuses China of undermining the security, values ??and interests of allies.

China no longer plays for time and hides its strength, as was the case in Deng Xiaoping's time. For a few years, it has been showing its muscle, especially in the South China Sea, and this poses very important geostrategic problems in a crucial area for international trade and economy. We cannot tolerate that China violates the rules of international law accepted by all and that it occupies areas that do not belong to it. This does not mean that we cannot negotiate with her.

How do you see President Xi Jinping? He has closed an alliance with Russia, today the main enemy of Europe and NATO.

President Xi is the leader of one of the world's greatest powers and we must come to terms with him.

But Xi is an ally of Putin.

What is happening in the Ukraine is not at all comfortable for China. The territorial unity of a country is fundamental for China. Xi insists on it to claim reunification with Taiwan. Therefore, for consistency, he should condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

But he does not and threatens Taiwan with the use of force.

China has seen how the invasion against Ukraine has met with one of the most powerful reactions from the EU, the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea and many other countries. I am not saying that Ukraine is an example of what can happen in Taiwan, but China has been surprised by this united response. Also, Taiwan is a mountainous island, not a flat country with wide land borders like Ukraine. It is to think about it.

How would the EU react to a possible attack by China on Taiwan?

The EU does not defend the independence of Taiwan, but the peaceful reunification. We believe that there should be only one China, but in the event of a military invasion we have made it very clear that the EU, with the US and its allies, will impose similar or even greater measures than those we have now taken against Russia.

Does the EU follow US orders in China or does it have an agenda of its own?

The EU has its own geopolitical profile. We are the largest market in the world. The greatest regulatory power in the world. We use this power to be someone in the geopolitical scene. Being allies of the US does not mean that we are aligned with Washington on everything. The EU is in favor of multilateralism, of international institutions working, such as the World Trade Organization, which have benefited China so much.

The Chinese economy seems to have structural problems. It's not so competitive anymore.

China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty. This is a free market success, not communism. However, like any country that develops very quickly, there comes a time when it cannot continue to grow as fast. The demographic pressure on the economy is enormous. Labor becomes more expensive and competitiveness is lost.

 

But China now manufactures more value-added products.

Yes. It has gone from producing a lot of textiles to producing a lot of technology, but it no longer has the endless army of workers that it used to have. The real estate sector, in addition, has an excessive weight. It represents 30% of GDP. There are problems of bank financing in the sector. The crisis can explode at any moment.

As it happened in Japan in the nineties. You know Japan well. He was an embassy secretary at the time and an ambassador until recently.

Japan, when I arrived in 1995, had a per capita income 50% higher than that of the US Today it is the other way around. The US has 50% more than Japan.

Was the cause demographic?

It was an important cause. The population has aged, as it is now aging in China, where the birth rate is very low. In Japan every year there are 550,000 fewer people. It has 125 million inhabitants, but three years ago it had almost 127. At this rate, in 2050 it will have 80 million. In 1989, the Nikkei index reached 36,000 points. Today, 32 years later, it is over 26,000. It has not yet recovered lost ground.

Progress Hasn't Brought Democracy to China, Can a Recession?

Ambassador Eugeni Bregolat maintained that development would lead to democracy, but this has not been the case. Political freedoms in China are not at their best, but they are not at their worst either. The big question is whether the Chinese social contract will hold. That is, if prosperity and well-being will continue to compensate for the sacrifice of political and social freedoms. I do not know. I dare not answer it.

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