China: Foreign Minister Berbach urges EU solidarity after Macron’s statement on Taiwan

AOn the sidelines of her visit to China, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbach tried to weigh in on French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial statements about the conflict over Taiwan. To remove records of European dissent. Earlier in the day, Macron “underlined once again that French China policy mirrors European China policy one-to-one,” the Green politician said during his visit to the port city of Tianjin on Thursday. Despite all the differences in the EU, one strength is that “we are not only close to each other when it comes to central questions of our interests and values, but also follow common strategic approaches”.

Macron was on a state visit to China a few days ago It 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 reiterated France’s independence. “Being an ally does not mean being a slave,” Macron said of the US in Amsterdam. France has “the right to think for ourselves”.

Considering Macron’s visit to Beijing, Beerbock emphasized that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the French president being together in China is a “very important sign”. If you share a common internal market, you cannot take any other position on “the EU’s biggest trading partner, China” – “and especially Germany”. The federal government coordinates as closely with any other partner in the EU as “our friends from France”.

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.

Baerbach arrives in Tianjin – China maintains military pressure on Taiwan

Annalena Baerbach was the most anticipated in the port city of Tianjin on Thursday Inaugural trip to China arrived In the city southeast of the capital Beijing, the Green Party politician wanted to, among other things, attend classes at a Basque partner school and visit a German company that manufactures wind turbines. Central political talks are scheduled to take place in Beijing on Friday. Given China’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and the situation in Taiwan, the visit will be one of the most diplomatically difficult of Berbock’s tenure so far. China’s military muscle flexing, used to intimidate Taiwan and warn against independence efforts, overshadows Baerbach’s arrival.

China has recently increased its warships and aircraft near Taiwan military pressure Maintained in the Democratic Island Republic. After three days of major maneuvers ended on Monday, the Defense Ministry in Taipei said by Thursday morning that 26 aircraft and seven naval vessels had been found again within a day. The 14 aircraft crossed the previously respected unofficial center line in the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s Air Observation Zone (ADIZ).

“Special Responsibility for World Peace”

Beerbock announced more during his visit to China Human rights and climate protection want to talk 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 also 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, a trip to Beerbach should be one. Diplomatically very difficult tasks Their previous term of office. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Beyerbach emphasized that 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.

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Beerbock continues on Saturday Travel to South Korea. 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, which will include government officials and refugees from North Korea. On Sunday, Beyerbach will travel to Japan for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.

Training for “real combat operations”.

Meanwhile he called Chinese President Xi Jinping Army for increased 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.

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, the CDU foreign politician appealed. Norbert Rotgen For Beerbock to fulfill Germany’s commitment to an unfettered European course in China. “The German foreign minister has to link the federal government to this European line without a whim. If there is any doubt about this, it will only add to the damage done by Macron,” said Rotgen of the “Rheinisch Post” and the Pan “General-Ansiger” (Thursday).

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Comment Macron’s statements

Representative of Taiwan in Germany, Shieh Jhy-Wey, told “Tagesspiegel” (Thursday): “Especially before Mr. Macron’s recent statements, I hope Ms. Baerbach, who is known as an advocate of liberal values, will speak out in Beijing and underline that Germany rejects any attempt by China to introduce Taiwan – solve the problem by violence.” .” 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.

Vice President of the German-Chinese Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag, Gide Jensen (FDP), Baerbock called for clear words. “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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