Germany presents long-awaited strategy on China, stresses economic security
The German government has presented a long-awaited strategy for relations with China that points to a “systemic rivalry” with the Asian power and a need to reduce risks of economic dependency, but highlights Berlin’s desire to work with Beijing on chal...
BERLIN — The German government on Thursday presented a long-awaited strategy for relations with China that points to a “systemic rivalry” with the Asian power and a need to reduce risks of economic dependency, but highlights Berlin's desire to work with Beijing on challenges such as climate change and maintain trade ties.
The 64-page document approved by Chancellor OIaf Scholz's Cabinet builds on Germany's first national security strategy, issued a month ago. Scholz's three-party coalition had pledged when it took office in late 2021 to draw up a “comprehensive China strategy.”
Germany has Europe's biggest economy and is the 27-nation European Union's most populous member. Its strategy is a balancing act; it is keen to maintain good ties with China, its biggest single trading partner in recent years, despite wariness over Beijing’s growing assertiveness and refusal to criticize the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that “for Germany, China remains a partner, competitor and systemic rival, but the aspect of systemic rivalry has in recent years increasingly come to the fore.”
“Anyone who listens to China knows with what self-confidence it will decisively influence the development of our world — more repressive at home and more offensive abroad,” Baerbock said. “China has changed and so our China policy must change too.”
In its strategy, the government said it is committed to ensuring that economic cooperation with China “becomes fairer,
Read more on abcnews.go.com
