Germany’s foreign minister: Parts of China trip ‘more than shocking’

On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called her recent trip to China “more than shocking” and claimed Beijing was becoming a systemic rival rather than a trade partner and competitor.

Last week, Baerbock urged Beijing against attempting to rule Taiwan.

Beijing has never ruled out using force to annex democratic Taiwan.

Baerbock further stated China intended to follow its own rules instead of the international order. Beijing requested Germany to assist Taiwan’s “reunification” and stated China and Germany were partners.

Baerbock told the Bundestag on Wednesday that “some of it was really more than shocking” regarding her China trip.

After saying China was growing more oppressive inside and hostile externally, she did not clarify.

She stated China is a partner, competitor, and systemic rival for Germany, but “that the systemic rivals aspect is increasing more and more”.

Baerbock said China was Germany’s greatest trading partner but not its most important.

She said the German government wants to collaborate with China but doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, such as “change through trade”—the idea that the West can alter authoritarian regimes through trade.

Baerbock also stated China should use its influence over Russia in the Ukraine crisis to promote peace.

She praised Beijing’s vow not to send arms to Russia, including dual-use equipment, but said Berlin would monitor its implementation.

Olaf Scholz’s government is creating a new China strategy to lessen dependence on Asia’s economic superpower, a key export market for German goods, in contrast to Angela Merkel’s objectives.