AOn her first visit to China, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbach (Greens) emphasized the goal of exploring opportunities for future cooperation and reducing risks of unilateralism. Germany is not interested in “economic isolation”, “but we need to look more systematically at the risks of unilateralism and reduce them,” the Green Party politician said before leaving for Beijing on Wednesday evening. “This is especially true in view of the horror of a military expansion into the Taiwan Strait, through which 50 percent of world trade flows every day.”
During his visit, he will underline the “common European belief” that unilateral change and military expansion in the Taiwan Strait are unacceptable. For Germany, “much depends on whether we succeed in properly balancing our future relationship with China,” Beierbach further explained.
Since the political split between mainland China and Taiwan in 1949, Beijing has considered the island a breakaway territory that it wants to reunify by military force. Baerbock’s comment can also be read as a reference to French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial statement that the EU would remain neutral if China attacked Taiwan.
A few days ago, after a state visit to China, Macron warned that Europe would become a “follower” on the Taiwan issue. “The worst thing is to think that we Europeans are followers and have to adapt to the American rhythm and Chinese overreaction,” the head of state said. WELT partner publication POLITICO And two French journalists der Zeitung “The Echoes”.
Macron’s statements drew sharp criticism in the West. Chinese state media, on the other hand, praised the French president. On Wednesday, Macron again emphasized France’s independence. “Being an ally does not mean being a slave,” Macron said in Amsterdam, referring to the United States. France has the “right to think for ourselves”.
“Special Responsibility for World Peace”
Meanwhile, Beerbock announced that he would also like to talk about human rights and climate protection during his trip to China. China is the world’s largest CO₂ emitter and market leader in renewable energies. The country is at the same time a partner, rival and legitimate rival of the European Union. “The direction in which the needle will swing in the future depends on which path China chooses,” he stressed. During his visit, he wanted to get an idea of the direction the new leadership is taking in Beijing – “aiming at the tension between political control and economic openness”.
Given Beijing’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Berbock’s trip may be one of the most diplomatically difficult assignments of his tenure to date. Beerbock emphasized that as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China bears a special responsibility for world peace. China’s role in influencing Russia “will have implications for the whole of Europe and our relationship with China,” he said. A “soon, lasting and just” end to the war is “high on my agenda in Beijing,” Baerbach added.
The foreign minister will first visit the Chinese port city of Tianjin on Thursday. In the city southeast of the capital Beijing, Pasch wants to attend classes at a partner school and visit a German company that manufactures wind turbines. Also scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
Central political talks are scheduled to take place in Beijing on Friday. There, Baerbach will also meet with other government officials and representatives of German companies.
Beerbock heads to South Korea on Saturday. As before in China, this was his first visit. According to reports, Baerbock will first visit the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea and then hold talks in Seoul, including government officials and refugees from North Korea. On Sunday, Beyerbach will travel to Japan for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
China urges military to step up training
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the military to step up training for “real combat operations”. China’s People’s Liberation Army must “resolutely defend territorial sovereignty and maritime interests and maintain stability in the hinterland,” Xi told the sailors, according to a report by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Between Saturday and Monday, the Chinese military practiced a major maneuver to encircle Taiwan and attack “key targets.” Taiwan spotted warships off its coast on Tuesday.
“Beijing wants a world that’s not about values, it’s about spheres of influence”
China feels provoked by Taiwan. In response, the People’s Republic conducts maneuvers from Taiwan. French President Macron’s comments on Taiwan have previously caused irritation. Foreign Policy Secretary Caroline Durser on the tense situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The maneuver came in response to a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which angered China. Tsai met the third highest US official during his visit to the US.
After French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial statements on the conflict over Taiwan, CDU foreign policy minister Norbert Röttgen appealed to Beerbock from Germany to commit to an unrestricted European approach to China. “The German foreign minister has to link the federal government to this European line without a whim. If there is any doubt about it, it will only add to the damage done by Macron,” said Rotgen of the “Rheinische Post” and the Pan “General-Anziger” (Thursday).
Taiwan’s representative in Germany, Shih Jai-wei, told “Tagesspiegel” (Thursday): “I hope Ms. Berbach, who is known as an advocate of liberal values, will speak out, especially before Mr. Macron’s recent statements. Text in Beijing and any attempt by China to resolve the Taiwan issue by force. Underline that Germany rejects.” Ukraine’s example shows that only a transatlantic alliance can succeed, and if this alliance succeeds with Taiwan, China will know that it has no chance of containing us militarily.
Gyde Jensen (FDP), vice-chairman of the German-Chinese parliamentary group, called on Beerbock to speak out in the Bundestag. “Annalena Baerbach has shown that she is not walking quietly to scare anyone,” Jensen told Editorial Germany (RND/Thursday). “It needs to take a clear stance on China and comply with human rights, but also comply with international agreements.”
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