It’s complicated – that’s how you see the political relationship between Germany and Germans China perhaps the best summary. Relations between the two are tense, both on foreign policy and economic issues. Germany’s foreign minister has just postponed his planned visit to Beijing following a diplomatic scandal.
Currently, no chancellor or foreign minister has traveled to attend the Black and Red Party’s inaugural visit Federal Government to Beijing, but Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil. “We must not talk about China, we must talk to China,” he explained in a video interview with the German Press Agency. “This is an important international player: There are many problems in this world that we can only solve together with China.”
The SPD leader will attend the Germany-China financial dialogue, a regular meeting of the two countries’ finance ministers. “I also hope we will clarify some things with the Chinese side,” he said before the trip. It should Klingbeil became the first diplomatic test.
Tightrope walk one: Foreign Minister Wadephul’s refusal
Actually the Minister of Foreign Affairs should be Johann Wadephul became the first representative of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government (both CDU) in China. But at the last minute, Wadephul canceled his trip. The Chinese only promised him a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi – not enough from the German point of view. At the same time, Beijing made a clear statement opposing Wadephul’s repeated critical statements regarding China’s policy towards Taiwan.
Even a clarifying phone call clearly did not solve the problem: According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang warned his colleagues to refrain from “microphone diplomacy” and baseless accusations. Will Vice Chancellor Klingbeil succeed in making the right decision in this tense situation? He emphasized that his trip was carried out in close coordination with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chancellor.
Strict action is secondary: fighting for power and human rights
Germany’s leading politicians always behave callously when they visit China. They don’t like the Western teachers there. But at the same time, there are issues that cannot be ignored by a German politician. In the People’s Republic of China, serious human rights violations are repeatedly criticized, and Western guests usually have to react to the Taiwan issue.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory, even though the island republic has had a democratically elected government for decades. In Beijing, there are parallels to German reunification – but military action cannot be ruled out either. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army trains with warships and fighter jets off the coast of Taiwan almost every day.
We heard from diplomats that the topic has recently become clearer at meetings with foreign guests. This may also explain the reaction to Wadephul’s statement, which essentially formulated the federal government’s well-known position.
Klingbeil also said clearly earlier: “We are closely watching what is happening in Taiwan.” If there is military action, “then it will create a different view of China.”
Third strict measure: economic relations
China views itself as the winner of the trade dispute with the US and has gained confidence. There has recently been a demonstration of strength in the chip industry, which is important for German automakers. There are now signs of the Nexperia crisis easing. But this is not the only driver of China’s economic policy. Beijing has successfully used rare earths as a pressure tool in trade negotiations with the US.
Metals and magnets made from these metals are found in smartphone or television screens, in electric motor drives, semiconductors or turbines. Therefore, German industry depended on it. China has restricted their exports and German companies have to go through complicated approval procedures.
Klingbeil announced that he wanted to talk about it. “Rare earth is an issue that I don’t think we can accept partners taking advantage of the profits they have there,” he said. In general, he had the impression that China wants cooperation with Germany and appreciates “when you speak politically clearly in various places, when you do not try to hide differences, but when you are open in political debate.”
Fourth thread: China’s relations with Russia
Another issue that the German Vice Chancellor wants to act on is China’s role in Russia’s war against Ukraine. “I would also signal again there that we see a strong Chinese role and of course we also want the pressure on Russia to increase to end this war that violates international law,” Klingbeil said.
When it comes to Russia, China is promised a lot of influence. State and party leader Xi Jinping received Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin earlier this month, and relations between the two nuclear powers became closer. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin often refers to the Chinese as “old friends.” From Ukraine’s point of view, China’s peace proposals to date have only been in Russia’s interests. In addition, China continues to pour money into their war by importing oil from Russia.
Fifth strict action: Coalition at home
Critics charged SPD plans to implement a shadow foreign policy after Wadephul’s rejection – especially as Chancellor Merz is unlikely to travel to China until next year. Klingbeil was accompanied by a larger delegation, which also took part in the traditional party dialogue between the Social Democrats and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
It is feared that the Chinese government will make this look like a government consultation – and further drive a wedge between Germany’s coalition partners. This could give the impression that the SPD wants dialogue while the CDU/CSU seeks confrontation with China.
Klingbeil himself denied the accusations. He communicated closely with Merz and Wadephul, and he was essentially the first person from the federal government to make the trip. At the same time, the duties of the finance minister and vice chancellor also include maintaining international contacts, “especially at a time when things are developing in world politics.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251113-930-285833/1
