At the beginning of November, Chancellor Scholz made his inaugural visit to China. He is accompanied by managers and emphasizes the continuity of the relationship and customs, also from an EU perspective. The insights of senior EU politicians after the summit in Brussels are somewhat more critical.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to China in early November. It is his inaugural visit. He will be accompanied by a business delegation, said the SPD politician in Brussels after the EU summit of heads of state and government. It is customary for a business delegation to travel with him. It was “always done that way before”. Scholz left open whether French President Emmanuel Macron would accompany him.
Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck recently announced that the federal government would take a tougher course against China in the future. China is a welcome trading partner. “But if there is state protectionism, then countermeasures must be taken to combat it. We cannot allow ourselves to be blackmailed.”
Scholz said relations with China were also an issue at the EU summit on Friday. No country advocates decoupling. In terms of trade policy, however, Germany should not just focus on one country. Relations with other Asian and South American countries would have to be expanded. Scholz announced in mid-November that he would visit Vietnam and Singapore on his way to the summit of the 20 leading industrialized and emerging countries in Bali.
EU Council President Charles Michel was somewhat clearer about China and emphasized the need for a two-pronged strategy in dealing with China. A debate at the summit of heads of state and government showed a very clear will not to be naïve, said the Belgian. At the same time, one does not want to get into a logic of systematic confrontation. “We think there is a need to be able to engage with China on global issues, such as climate change,” Michel said. In addition, one believes that one must work to create more reciprocity and more balance, especially in economic relations between China and the European Union.
Indirectly, Michel warned against unreservedly siding with America in the competition between China and the United States. The EU must develop its own strategy in dealing with China, he said. In general, according to the Belgian, all heads of state and government agree that the EU should become more strategically independent.
The topic is relevant for the EU, among other things, in view of the Asia-Europe summit (ASEM) planned for December in Brussels. A delegation from China is also expected to visit him.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the discussion at the summit had shown that tensions were clearly accelerating. China’s head of state Xi Jinping continues to push China’s firm and independent course, it is clear that China wants to consolidate its dominance in East Asia and its influence around the world.
Von der Leyen also critically pointed out that Russia and China solidified their partnership immediately before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “These developments will have an impact on EU-China relations,” she said. One is aware of the nature of the rivalry.
