Berlin mentioned it might scale down enterprise with Beijing and try to diversify its buying and selling companions
China has criticized Germany’s new technique for relations with the Folks’s Republic, calling it “counterproductive” after Berlin declared that it might cut back its reliance on the Chinese language financial system.
Requested concerning the technique doc throughout a Friday press briefing, Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin recommended the brand new coverage would solely hurt bilateral ties, saying that Beijing prefers to see Berlin as a accomplice relatively than a rival.
“We imagine that it’s counterproductive to compete and follow protectionism within the identify of ‘de-risking’ and ‘decreasing dependence,’ and to overstretch the idea of safety and politicize regular cooperation. Such strikes will solely generate dangers,” he mentioned, including that Germany’s strategy will “exacerbate the division of the world.”
Launched by the German Overseas Workplace on Thursday, the technique labeled China a “strategic rival” and referred to as to chop again commerce with the nation. The 40-page doc accuses Beijing of making an attempt to make different nations “extra depending on China.” It notes that Germany depends on China in a number of areas, together with metals and rare-earth components, medical expertise and prescription drugs, in addition to for data expertise and merchandise used to supply semiconductors.
With bilateral commerce hovering to a document €300 billion ($337 billion) in 2022, China is presently Germany’s largest buying and selling accomplice.
Commenting on the technique, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned the aim was to not “disconnect” from the Chinese language financial system, however merely to “keep away from important dependencies sooner or later.” He added that his administration should reply to Beijing’s “extra offensive stance” lately, calling for a “new framework” for relations.
The Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesman went on to state that cooperation with Berlin “far outweighs competitors” and voiced hopes that Germany would “undertake a rational and sensible China coverage.”
Regardless of stressing its issues about China, Germany’s new technique additionally contains plans to spice up engagement with Beijing, saying it continues to be an “indispensable accomplice” on points starting from local weather change, meals safety, mitigation and resolving worldwide financial crises.
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