Michel in China: Maintaining contacts can pay off

Diplomacy is a long and sometimes frustrating business.

It was not to be expected that the visit of EU Council President Charles Michel to Beijing would result in a significant change in Chinese policy towards Russia.

But Michel's visit is part of a series of contacts between Europe and China that may at least have led to Beijing now understanding exactly what Europe (and America) is talking about in Ukraine.

The argument that Russia must respect the sovereignty of independent Ukraine is exactly what China always asks of everyone.

So Beijing can hardly disagree.

Not so unfriendly anymore

It is also not surprising that the communist leadership is not showing its cards.

But in the immediate aftermath of the Russian incursion, rhetoric from China on the conflict sounded more unfriendly to Western ears than what Xi Jinping and his subordinates are saying today.

Maintaining contacts in this area has therefore paid off.

That cannot yet be said with a view to the other controversial issues between Europe and China.

Here both sides temporarily exchange their known points of view.

Fortunately, the days of European naivety towards states like China are over.

Beijing should also adjust to this.

Then everyone would benefit.