Chinese authorities canceled a video message from European Council President Charles Michel at a trade show in Shanghai after they learned it would touch on Russia's war against Ukraine. About it writes Reuters with reference to three European diplomats.
In a pre-recorded video, Michel also called for reducing the EU's trade dependence on China. It was to be shown at the 5th China International Import Exhibition (CIIE). Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Tuesday that he was unaware of the incident.
Excerpts from Michel's speech, provided to Reuters by European diplomats, indicate that the President of the European Council was also about to declare Europe's dependence on Russian fuel. He urged China to do everything to stop the war in Ukraine. Michel called the war itself "illegal".