China: Reality shock in Beijing – Now China is dictating the circumstances to Germany | EUROtoday

When Johann Wadephul landed in Beijing on Sunday night, the message addressed to him was already clear: Germany is touring, however China is receiving. And decides beneath what circumstances. Six weeks after the German Foreign Minister canceled his authentic go to as a result of a scarcity of appropriate folks to speak to, Wadephul has now flown to China once more for a day and a half. The “constructive dialogue” that he had hoped for earlier than departure is happening in an setting wherein the steadiness of energy between Berlin and Beijing has noticeably shifted – in the direction of Chinese dominance.

Before leaving, Wadephul emphasised how “irreplaceable” the alternate with China was. Europe’s freedom, safety and prosperity are “closely linked to China,” he mentioned. A reference to the dependencies that Germany has created for itself over time.

Beijing is aware of this and makes use of it for its personal functions. Officially, the discussions had been about commerce obstacles: China’s export restrictions on uncommon earths, for instance, overcapacity for electrical vehicles and metal exports. But it was truly a take a look at of power to see who was in cost in German-Chinese relations.

In Beijing on Monday, Wadephul was acquired by Trade Minister Wang Wentao and within the night he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The highest-ranking interlocutor when it comes to protocol was Vice President Han Zheng. Wadephul additionally met with Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Central Committee and a key participant in relations with Europe.

Another dominant matter was the Russian struggle of aggression in opposition to Ukraine: Although Beijing emphasizes neutrality, China is seen within the West as an necessary supporter of Moscow.

China makes Germany fidget

At the press convention on Monday night, Wadephul intentionally highlighted key financial and safety coverage factors. He emphasised that Germany desires “open markets and free trade,” however warned in opposition to “market-distorting practices such as state-subsidized overcapacity in electromobility.” He mentioned: “Flourishing trade requires predictability and reliability.” Individual options for uncommon earths weren’t sufficient: “General licenses can be a first step, but we will measure them based on their effectiveness.”

When it got here to the Taiwan Strait, Wadephul reiterated the German line: “A change in the status quo can only occur amicably and peacefully,” he mentioned, pointing to the significance of the UN Charter and warning that the world “cannot tolerate another conflict in this busy maritime trade route.” He additionally overtly addressed human rights points: “Developments in China, particularly with regard to minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang as well as political rights in Hong Kong, cause us concern.”

But China appeared unfazed. On Monday afternoon, Wadephul needed to dampen the German trade’s hopes for sooner import licenses for uncommon earths after preliminary discussions with the Chinese aspect. Although there are “signals,” he instructed ZDF, “a lot of work” remains to be wanted. Wadephul’s demand that China affect Russia to finish the Ukraine struggle was not initially adopted by any guarantees.

Both factors present the brand new asymmetry within the German-Chinese steadiness of energy. Germany criticizes and calls for. China is fidgeting.

Wadephul had truly needed to journey to Beijing on the finish of October. However, aside from a gathering with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese aspect didn’t provide another high-level interlocutors. One of the explanations for this was most likely German statements about Taiwan, the democratically dominated island that China claims as its personal. Even earlier than Wadephul traveled to Japan in August, he had accused China of “aggressive behavior” within the Taiwan Strait and known as for “stronger internationally binding rules.”

A transparent reference to the ideas of the UN Charter, which enshrines the peaceable settlement of disputes and the inviolability of territorial integrity. Speaking on the fortieth anniversary of the Japan-German Center in October, he mentioned: “The enormous increase in Chinese presence in the waters around Japan and the robust military presence in the Taiwan Strait are undermining the international rules-based order.”

Despite criticism, the alternate continued: Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil was in a position to take in a few of the irritation in mid-November. And Chancellor Friedrich Merz additionally desires to journey to Beijing within the first weeks of subsequent 12 months.

German politicians have made statements regarding Taiwan earlier than, however this time they had been made shortly after the army parade in Beijing, with which China yearly celebrates its victory over Japanese fascism. Chinese state media, in flip, portrayed the cancellation of the October journey as a German affront. The Xinhua information company had instructed that Germany had “excessive expectations”.

This is traditional framing: China offered itself not as a blocking get together, however because the state that makes selections. The go to of former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to Berlin in November additionally match into the tense state of affairs; Beijing had learn the appointment as a provocation.

Taiwan is now a non-negotiable core curiosity for China. And Beijing used the assembly with Wadephul to publicly self-discipline Berlin. In the telephone name shortly after taking workplace in May, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the one-China precept was the “most important political basis for German-Chinese relations.” Beijing is thus demanding that Taiwan be acknowledged as a part of the People’s Republic.

However, German coverage intentionally doesn’t go that far: Berlin acknowledges the People’s Republic as the federal government of China, however doesn’t decide the standing of Taiwan. This distinction is central – and Beijing is attempting to systematically shift it in its favor. After Monday’s dialog with Han Zheng, Xinhua once more reported that China expects Germany to acknowledge the one-China precept: a sign that Beijing will solely take safety considerations severely if Berlin noticeably adjusts its personal line on Taiwan.

“China is increasingly dictating the conditions”

Wadephul visibly tried to keep away from any impression of political weak spot throughout his go to. On ZDF he emphasised that his talks in Beijing could be held “on an equal footing”. China acknowledges “that Germany is a crucial country in Europe and that the German voice has weight.”

In an interview with the RND, Mikko Huotari, the director of the Mercator Institute for China Studies, known as Wadephul’s present journey an “attempt to establish diplomatic normality”, however on the identical time emphasised: “China is increasingly dictating the conditions. This had not yet been fully digested in the federal government until October.”

While German politicians have been speaking about de-risking for months, German firms are making document investments in China. According to IW Cologne, direct investments have already reached a excessive of 11.9 billion euros in 2023. And in 2024/2025, billions flowed into new initiatives from Volkswagen, BASF, BMW and Siemens. For Beijing it’s clear: German politicians wish to be extra unbiased, whereas the German economic system depends. China is keenly conscious of this discrepancy – and it’s strengthening its place.

Wadephul continues to Guangdong on Tuesday, visiting tunnel boring machine maker Herrenknecht and robotaxi firm WeRide, a number one participant in autonomous driving and an space the place China is advancing technologically and Germany is falling behind. The context stays the identical: China is performing with growing self-confidence as a result of it is aware of that Berlin desires to talk “on an equal footing”, however just isn’t ready to take action in key strategic areas.

Christina zur Nedden is a China and Asia correspondent. Since 2020 she has been reporting from East and Southeast Asia on behalf of WELT.