China-Russia cooperation should not be interfered with by any third party: FM responds to Von der Leyen’s demand

When asked for comments on reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made three demands to China on Tuesday, including one regarding cooperation with Russia, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded on Wednesday that the normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party and should not be interfered with by any third party.

According to TASS, von der Leyen asked China to limit cooperation with Russia, among other things, ahead of the upcoming China-EU summit.

Von der Leyen accused "China's unyielding support for Russia" of "creating heightened instability and insecurity in Europe." "We cannot accept this," she emphasized in a speech at an EP plenary joint debate on relations between the European Union and China, per TASS.

In response, Mao said that the normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party, nor should it be interfered with by any third party.