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Tsahkna in China: We welcome the postponement of export restrictions on rare earth minerals

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

05.11.2025 | 19:43

From 4 to 5 November, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is on an official visit to the People's Republic of China. Today, he met with the United States Ambassador to China, David Perdue, the Ukrainian Ambassador to China, Olexander Nechytaylo, and diplomats from the European Union, France, and Sweden to receive an overview of the human rights situation in China.

During his meeting with Ambassador Perdue, discussions focused on the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Tsahkna emphasised that peace is a shared goal, but it must be lasting and just — a point he also stressed during his meeting yesterday with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. "I see an opportunity for China to pressure Russia to end its aggression, as China holds significant influence over Russia," Tsahkna stated. "Putin has not taken any steps towards peace."

Talks also covered U.S.-China negotiations on tariffs. Tsahkna welcomed the fact that the postponement of export restrictions on rare earth minerals also includes European goods. Additionally, he briefed the ambassador on the violation of Estonia's airspace by Russia in September.

Tsahkna provided Ambassador Nechytaylo with an overview of his recent visit to Ukraine, including the signing of a memorandum of cooperation confirming Estonia's readiness to host the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Tallinn in 2027, and his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Tsahkna said that in yesterday's meeting with Wang Yi, he proposed cooperation with China to facilitate the return of children deported from Ukraine by Russia. "We know the names of more than 20,000 children who have been taken from their homes by Russia. I see a significant opportunity for cooperation with China to help bring these Ukrainian children back home."

Diplomats responsible for human rights issues from the EU, France, and Sweden briefed Tsahkna on developments in China. The discussions addressed the rule of law, the situation of sexual and ethnic minorities, and the continued implementation of the death penalty. Tsahkna also presented Estonia's priorities for its membership in the UN Human Rights Council during the 2026-2028 term.

This evening, Tsahkna hosted ambassadors residing in China and Poland's Undersecretary of State for Development Affairs, Michael Baranowski, at the Estonian Embassy in Beijing.