Germany catalogs China as a “systemic partner, competitor and rival” in its first national security strategy, accusing Beijing of repeatedly acting against the country’s interests in an attempt to reshape the world order.
The document prepared by Olaf Scholz’s coalition criticizes China for putting regional stability and international security “under increasing pressure” and for violating human rights.
“China is trying to reform the existing rules-based international order in various ways; it is defending regional dominance with increasing force and repeatedly acts against our interests and values,” the strategy paper said.
At the same time, Germany recognizes that the Asian giant “remains a partner without whom many global challenges and crises cannot be solved”.
“Therefore, we should take advantage of collaboration opportunities in these specific areas,” the document says.
The publication of the strategic plan came just days before Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Berlin.
When asked what message the document sent to Beijing at a press conference, Olaf Scholz said that “the point is that China will continue to grow economically and China’s integration in world trade and global economic relations should not be jeopardized.”
“But at the same time, the security problems that arise for us must be taken into account,” the chancellor said, adding that Germany “does not want decoupling, it wants to reduce the risks”.
The strategic paper, prepared under the direction of the State Department, covers defense commitments such as a two percent vote on NATO spending, supply chain security and cyber-attacks.
The document calls Russia “currently the main threat to the peace and security of the Euro-Atlantic zone”, and criticizes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The war shook Germany to its core, forcing the country to abandon longstanding pacifist policies and instead drastically rearm its military.
The conflict also prompted Berlin to accelerate plans to reduce its dependence on China after the covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call to the risks of dependence on the Asian giant for essential health products such as gowns, masks or medicines.
Germany has been busy in recent months diversifying its imports or bringing to its territory the production of essential components such as semiconductor chips. But Germany’s exporting giants have expressed concern about the exit from China for fear of alienating that market.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed in a stark warning to German companies that Berlin will not be able to help large industrial groups with deep ties to China in the event of a crisis with Beijing.
The minister added that in conversations with German companies, she and Scholz underlined the need to learn lessons from Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The German MEP underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation with Beijing in areas where both sides can reach an agreement.
One of the spearheads is climate, in which the cooperation of the Asian giant is crucial to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “Obviously, we see the world in a very different way. But in recognizing that the climate crisis is the biggest threat to security…we have a meeting point with China,” Baerbock said.
“You can’t say you want to save the world’s climate, but you don’t want to talk to China.”
However, analysts say the strategy lacks answers on how Germany will deal with the most pressing threats.
“The document contains many bright ideas for dealing with a multipolar world and considers important aspects of a comprehensive understanding of security beyond a military core,” said Tagesspiegel daily.
“But it does not outline any line of action for the most pressing threats in the current world situation,” he added, noting that as early as 2024 “the main pillar of security could give way” if Donald Trump is reelected. elected president of the US.
Source: DN
