China's Foreign Minister Wang speaks in Berlin: 'Reaching out to Europe' (or 'Engaging with Europe' or 'Building Bridges with Europe')
In the ever-evolving landscape of international relations, the Union faction in Germany has put forth a new China policy that aims to strike a balance between engagement and caution. This policy, published in a position paper, comes at a time when China, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, is increasingly showing elements of systemic rivalry in its foreign policy.
The new China policy emphasises the importance of addressing China's military modernization and its potential threat to regional stability. It also calls for a more proactive approach towards China, advocating for the promotion of democratic values and human rights in countries with close ties to China.
Germany and China have traditionally maintained a long-term, stable, and healthy relationship, as evidenced by their comprehensive strategic partnership. However, the new policy suggests a need for greater coordination among European countries in their dealings with China, to ensure a unified and effective response to China's challenges.
The Union faction perceives systemic rivalry in China's foreign policy and sees China as one of the most significant challenges for German and European foreign, security, and economic policy in the foreseeable future. The policy proposal emphasises the need for a robust response to China's pursuit of a Sino-centric world order, as stated by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in mid-2023.
The policy also calls for increased cooperation with the United States and other democratic allies to address common challenges posed by China. It proposes a comprehensive strategy to address China's economic influence, including measures to protect European industries from unfair competition.
Moreover, the new policy suggests a need for greater transparency in China's foreign policy decisions, particularly in regards to its actions in the South China Sea. It also advocates for increased engagement with China on global issues such as climate change, but with a clear emphasis on upholding democratic values and principles.
The current state of the China policy in German and European foreign, security, and economic affairs reflects a pragmatic yet cautious approach amid critical views of Beijing under President Xi Jinping. Despite this, Germany and China continue to emphasise the importance of managing their differences through constructive dialogue, acknowledging that relations have broader regional and global significance.
In summary, the Union faction's new China policy represents a shift towards a more proactive and assertive approach, while maintaining the importance of dialogue, stable relations, and multilateral cooperation. This reflects a pragmatic policy aimed at preserving economic ties and global stability without ignoring security and political concerns. The German federal government is preparing for China to be a significant challenge in the future, and the new policy is a step towards meeting this challenge head-on.
The new China policy in Germany emphasizes the need for a more proactive approach towards China, advocating for increased engagement on global issues, such as climate change, while maintaining a robust response to China's pursuit of a Sino-centric world order. This policy also calls for increased transparency in China's foreign policy decisions, especially regarding its actions in the South China Sea.
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