Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels

Chinese authorities ‘drop EU council chief’s speech criticising war in Ukraine’

Charles Michel speaking at the Cop27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Charles Michel, pictured at the Cop27 climate summit in Egypt, had recorded a message to be played at the International Import Expo in Shanghai. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Chinese authorities dropped a trade fair speech by the European Council president, Charles Michel, that was critical of Russia’s war in Ukraine, diplomats have said.

The recorded message by Michel was meant to be one of several from world leaders and heads of international bodies played at the opening on Friday last week of China’s International Import Expo in Shanghai. Three European diplomats said Michel’s speech, which was heavily critical of Russia’s “illegal” war in Ukraine, had been removed, according to Reuters, which first reported the incident.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.