Germany and China warned jointly on Friday against further escalation of the war in Ukraine, during a closely-watched visit to Beijing by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “I asked President Xi [Jinping] to bring his influence on Russia to bear. We agree that atomic threats are extremely dangerous,” Scholz said after their talks. “We cannot afford further escalation,” outgoing Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said in remarks to the press with the German chancellor. He expressed their joint hope for a quick end to the war and called for peace talks. The comments appear to mark a change in rhetori…