Berlin said it would scale down business with Beijing and attempt to diversify its trading partners
FILE PHOTO: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin is seen during a press conference in Beijing, China, May 9, 2023. © AP / Mark Schiefelbein
China has criticized Germany’s new strategy for relations with the People’s Republic, calling it “counterproductive” after Berlin declared that it would reduce its reliance on the Chinese economy.
Asked about the strategy document during a Friday press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin suggested the new policy would only harm bilateral ties, saying that Beijing prefers to see Berlin as a partner rather than a rival.
“We believe that it is counterproductive to compete and practice protectionism in the name of ‘de-risking’ and ‘reducing dependence,’ and to overstretch the concept of security and politicize normal cooperation. Such moves will only generate risks,” he said, adding that Germany’s approach will “exacerbate the division of the world.”
Released by the German Foreign Office on Thursday, the strategy labeled China a “strategic rival” and called to cut back trade with the country. The 40-page document accuses Beijing of trying to make other nations “more dependent on China.” It notes that Germany relies on China in several areas, including metals and rare-earth elements, medical technology and pharmaceuticals, as well as for information technology and products used to produce semiconductors.
With bilateral trade soaring to a record €300 billion ($337 billion) in 2022, China is currently Germany’s largest trading partner.
Commenting on the strategy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the goal was not to “disconnect” from the Chinese economy, but merely to “avoid critical dependencies in the future.” He added that his administration must respond to Beijing’s “more offensive stance” in recent years, calling for a “new framework” for relations.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman went on to state that cooperation with Berlin “far outweighs competition” and voiced hopes that Germany would “adopt a rational and practical China policy.”
Despite stressing its concerns about China, Germany’s new strategy also includes plans to boost engagement with Beijing, saying it continues to be an “indispensable partner” on issues ranging from climate change, food security, mitigation and resolving international economic crises.
