The comment was "a somewhat sloppy expression that was not meant in any way disrespectfully towards China," Oettinger told Die Welt newspaper on Saturday.
"Tā bija nevīžīga piebilde, kas nekādā veidā nebija domāta, lai izrādītu necieņu Ķīnai," Etingers sestdien uzsvēra intervijā Vācijas laikrakstam "Die Welt".