Merkel says Europe can deal with rise of China if it speaks with one voice

[October 14, 2021]    BERLIN (Reuters) - Europe can only contend with the rise of China if it speaks with one voice, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, calling for more unity across the continent.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel greets people upon her arrival to receive the "Charles V European Award" at the Monastery of Yuste, in the western Spanish region of Caceres, October 14, 2021. REUTERS/Susana Vera

"How we deal with the rise of China as an economic, political and military power ... depends very much on whether Europe really speaks with one voice," Merkel said in Spain after receiving the Carlos V prize.

"Europe is only as strong as it is united," she said.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Riham Alkousaa; Reporting by Miranda Murray)

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.