Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is on her inaugural visit to China. After a visit to a German wind turbine company and a partner school in the port city of Tianjin, the central political talks in Beijing are on the Green politician’s agenda for this Friday. Given China’s backing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and tensions over Taiwan, this is considered the most sensitive part of their visit.
Recently, statements by French President Emmanuel Macron on China and Taiwan policy had caused a stir in the western camp. After a visit to China, Macron said with a view to the United States that Europe should not be a “follower” on the Taiwan question and should not become a “vassal”.
“OM-Medien” (Vechta/Cloppenburg): “Annalena Baerbock travels to China under the worst possible omen. The Green politician, who is considered the anti-China minister in Beijing, is now supposed to weigh up whether China is a partner, competitor or more systematic Rival is to be treated. Of course, without the backing of a closed Berlin traffic light coalition. At the moment, the most that Baerbock could embody is that no one should have any serious interest in economic decoupling from the Middle Kingdom. The pawn is primarily in Beijing.”
“Die Glocke” (Oelde): “The West’s concerns about China’s threatening gestures against Taiwan, human rights violations against the Uyghurs, the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong – the Green politician will probably address all of this. Your Chinese interlocutors should listen politely – and then As always point out that these are internal Chinese affairs. But if Baerbock does not address these problems, she, who has repeatedly expressed herself critical of China, not only risks her personal credibility. As a representative of the federal government, she always speaks for them to some extent Western, liberal-democratic community of values.”
“Nordbayerischer Kurier” (Bayreuth): “It is reasonable that Baerbock wants to reduce dependencies on China. In view of the economic realities, however, it is also a very lengthy project. What matters when Baerbock visits China is: talk, talk , talk – especially behind closed doors. That’s the only way we can sell a little of what we want to China as what it wants itself.”
“Stuttgarter Zeitung”: “The visit to China is anything but a comfortable affair for Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The Chinese leadership has a close look at cracks in the western world. That French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe should Don’t ask to be a vassal of the USA was a celebration for Beijing – and revealed differences in Europe. The fact that Baerbock has a difficult time with Chancellor Olaf Scholz because of some undiplomatic tones does not increase their weight in Beijing.”
“Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”: “Baerbock must make it clear that Macron did not speak for Europe. It would be good if she would follow Scholz this time. She must make it clear that the Europeans can care about Taiwan. She must also open Pushing China’s efforts to bring Russia to its senses in the Ukraine war. And hitting the right note. Nothing would be worse than showing China a new German China course after a French one.”
“Reutlinger General-Anzeiger”: “On her trip, Baerbock must try to calm things down so as not to damage the German economy in its dependence on China. At the same time, she must show strength and make it clear that insisting on Western values ????is not are just lip service. An almost impossible mission.”
