Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday condemned threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, with Scholz warning that Russia risks “crossing a line” set by the international community if it uses force.

During the G7 leader’s first visit to China since the COVID-19 pandemic, Scholz insisted that Xi strongly urge Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine, saying Beijing as a major power bears responsibility for it.

Xi agreed that both leaders “oppose the use or threat of nuclear weapons” in Ukraine, according to the state news agency Xinhua, although he refrained from criticizing Russia or calling on Moscow to withdraw its troops.

Scholz arrived in Beijing on a one-day visit to take a pulse on relations between China and the West after years of rising tensions, amid talks that have touched on mutual market access, climate change and vaccines against COVID-19.

Scholz made the visit as he faced criticism from his own coalition for his relationship with Beijing. He tried to find a balance between ensuring a level playing field for European companies and abandoning Germany’s strong dependence on the Chinese market.

During the lunch with Scholz, Xi stressed that political trust is easy to destroy but difficult to restore, and that both sides should take care of it, Xinhua reported.

Earlier, welcoming Scholz at the House of People’s Assembly in Beijing, Xi called on the two countries to cooperate more closely on international issues.

“President Xi and I agree: nuclear threats are irresponsible and extremely dangerous,” Scholz said after the meeting. “By using nuclear weapons, Russia will cross the line drawn jointly by the Commonwealth of Nations,” he said.

Western allies of Ukraine accused Russia of threatening to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Moscow denies this and has repeatedly accused Kyiv of plans to use a radioactive “dirty bomb” without providing evidence.

During a conference call after talks with Premier Li Keqiang, Scholz said he raised the issue of Taiwan.

“Like the US and other countries, we are pursuing a one-China policy,” Scholz said. “But we have made it equally clear that any change to Taiwan’s status quo must be peaceful or by mutual consent,” he said. (source: Reuters)