How could a win by far-right French candidate Marine Le Pen cost China?
China’s ambassador to Germany looks at neighbour with trepidation
China is concerned about the possible impact on the integration of the European Union and Beijing’s holdings of euro bonds as the nation watches the French presidential election campaign, a senior Chinese diplomat said.
The agenda of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, in which she has promised to push France to leave the EU and drop the euro, has created uncertainties over whether the continent can remain united, said Shi Mingde, China’s ambassador to Germany.
“The overall global situation is unforeseeable and Europe is unpredictable,” Shi said on the sidelines of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on Friday. “2017 will be the year to determine the fate for Europe.”
Chinese officials seldom comment on other country’s elections. The rarity of the statement indicates Beijing’s growing concern.
The possibility of disintegration of the euro zone has heightened following Britain’s vote to leave the EU last June, Shi said. The election of President Donald Trump in the United States, and upcoming elections in France, Holland, Italy and Germany, have added to concerns that rising populism may shake the foundation of the 28-member EU bloc.
