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Poland urged to play 'more constructive' role in EU-China relations

20.05.2025 16:10
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Poland to take a "more constructive" approach in fostering closer EU-China ties as it holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025.
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Image:Image: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs/MSZ

The comments came during a phone call on Monday with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

In an official statement, China’s foreign ministry described Poland as an “important strategic partner” and reaffirmed Beijing’s interest in maintaining high-level dialogue and expanding bilateral cooperation.

Wang highlighted the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations, saying: “We hope that Poland, as the rotating presidency of the EU, will play a more constructive role in promoting further progress in China-EU relations.”

'Sustained dialogue'

On the war in Ukraine, referred to by Chinese officials as the “Ukraine crisis,” Wang said the recent resumption of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow, despite their differences, represented a “first step toward peace.”

He reiterated China’s position that the conflict should be resolved through “sustained dialogue” leading to a “just, lasting, and binding peace agreement.”

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also shared details of the call on X, saying that Sikorski and Wang discussed ending the war in Ukraine, the role of the UN Charter, and the security of transport routes between the EU and China.

Sikorski also renewed his invitation for Wang Yi to visit Poland.

'Russia has become China’s economic vassal'

The call comes just days after Sikorski told Germany’s Tagesspiegel that China could play a decisive role in ending the war in Ukraine, given its deepening leverage over Moscow.

“Russia has become China’s economic vassal,” Poland's top diplomat said.

“If China threatened a trade embargo, Russia would be forced to bend. Right now, though, that doesn’t appear to be happening,” he added.

(mp/gs)

Source: IAR/PAP/MSZ/X/@PolandMFA/@PLinDeutschland