"That was a sloppy remark that in no way was meant to disrespect China," Oettinger told conservative German newspaper Die Welt.
"Tā bija nevīžīga piebilde, kad nekādā veidā nebija domāta, lai izrādītu necieņu Ķīnai," Etingers uzsvēra intervijā Vācijas laikrakstam "Die Welt".