German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling for consequences in view of the tensions between Taiwan and China. Although one does not want to decouple oneself from China, the risks of one-sided dependencies must be reduced, the Greens politician said yesterday evening before leaving for Beijing. “This is especially true in view of the horror scenario of a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait, through which 50 percent of world trade flows every day.”
During her visit, she will underline “the common European conviction” that a unilateral change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and a military escalation would be unacceptable.
The government in Beijing regards the democratically governed Taiwan as a renegade province and does not rule out the use of military force. Baerbock’s comment is also a reference to controversial statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, some of which have been interpreted as suggesting that the EU could remain neutral if China attacks Taiwan.
Human rights and climate protection should also be topics
Baerbock announced that he also wants to talk about human rights and climate protection in China. China is the world’s largest CO2 emitter and the market leader in renewable energies. The country is at the same time a partner, competitor and systemic rival for the EU. “In which direction the needle will swing in the future also depends on which path China chooses,” she emphasized. During her visit, she wanted to get an idea of the course the new leadership in Beijing is taking – “also with a view to the tension between political control and economic openness.”
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a special responsibility. “What role China plays with its influence on Russia will have consequences for the whole of Europe and our relationship with China,” she said, referring to the Russian attack on Ukraine. After their talks in China, Baerbock will continue to fly to South Korea and Japan.
