Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday called on Europe for dialogue and cooperation with China and spoke out against a tough stance and sanctions against China, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In his podcast, Gerhard Schroeder criticized some German politicians for their "infantile" attitude towards China. He stated that / these people / should not pursue a "moral and didactic" foreign policy towards the PRC.

Schroeder noted that the German economy is export-oriented, and if Germany is striving for the so-called diplomacy of values, then it should not conduct any economic cooperation with many countries.

Europe should not impose sanctions on China, the ex-chancellor said. In his opinion, a tough stance against the PRC is fraught with serious economic consequences, employment and supply chains will be threatened.

“Currently, 40 percent of products of the German automotive industry are supplied to China, "this market is very important for Germany, the politician noted. Now global cooperation is needed on many issues, such as the coronavirus pandemic, refugee flows, the fight against terrorism and climate change, G. Schroeder is sure.