On the eve of her visit to China, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock declared the inadmissibility of military escalation in the Taiwan Strait and unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region. This was announced today, April 13, TASS reports.
According to the German Foreign Minister, Europe views China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival.
“It is obvious to me that we are not interested in the economic department [от Китая] – in any case, this would be difficult to achieve in a globalized world – but we need to more systematically look at the risks of one-sided dependence and reduce them”, Burbock said.
This, as the minister noted, is especially relevant in light of the aggravation of the situation in the Taiwan Strait region, through which 50% of world trade passes daily.
“Therefore, during the visit, I will also underline the common European conviction that a unilateral change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and especially a military escalation would be unacceptable,” Burbock added.
In its new strategy towards China, Germany, she said, will take into account its changed role in the world.
“For our country, a lot depends on whether we manage to achieve the right balance in our future relationship with China – as our largest trading partner and as a global player that is increasingly willing to shape the world order in its own way,” – further said the head of the German Foreign Ministry.
She stressed that China has a special responsibility for world peace as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“China’s willingness to influence world affairs was recently demonstrated by its mediation efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The role that China plays with its influence towards Russia will have implications for all of Europe and for our relationship with Beijing.” Burbock concluded.
