BEIJING’S EUROPE ENVOY TO TAKE OVER U.N. ROLE
Fu Cong’s new post as permanent representative at United Nations follows his tenure in Brussels, which was marked by worsening ties with the bloc
Beijing’s former ambassador to the European Union Fu Cong has been named as the country’s new permanent representative at the United Nations.
Fu has led the nation’s diplomatic mission in Brussels since December 2022, a time marked by worsening relations as a result of what Europe saw as China’s tacit support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and probes into claims that Beijing was unfairly subsidising electric vehicle makers.
Fu takes on the UN role at a time when China is seeking to bolster its support among members of the so-called Global South.
In announcing his appointment, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, a government foreign aid organisation, called for greater cooperation between the agency and China’s diplomats at the UN.
Despite the growing tensions with the EU under his watch, Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing, said “Fu’s work in Europe was commendable to the leadership”.
He said that by moving to the UN: “His official rank remains the same, but the new role means more responsibility as that involves China-US confrontation.”
Fu left his posting in Brussels last month, and in his farewell reception, he urged China and the EU to “build more roads and bridges instead of erecting walls or digging holes or creating small yards”.
“The tripartite description of China as a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival is inappropriate and does not correspond to reality,” he said.
He also noted that protectionism or the “frequent use of anti-subsidy and anti-dumping measures under the banner of de-risking” will not only harm the China-EU relationship, but also go against the long-term interests of the EU.
His successor in Brussels has yet to be named. A Chinese international relations specialist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “China has always attached special importance to relations with the EU as we try to estrange the bloc from the United States, but I think it’s just wishful thinking since we don’t share values with Europeans.”
Fu will be the 15th ambassador since the People’s Republic of China took over the country’s seat at the UN and the Security Council from Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, in 1971.
Beijing’s diplomatic mission to the UN said the current ambassador, Zhang Jun, would be returning to China without specifying what his next posting would be.
The 63-year-old has technically passed retirement age, although such restrictions do not usually apply to diplomats.
Sing Tao newspaper reported last month that he was set to take over as secretary general of the Boao Asia Forum.
His official rank remains the same, but the new role means more responsibility
WANG YIWEI, ACADEMIC