federal government
Because of China: Baerbock calls on Australia to cooperate
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks at a press conference. photo
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
In response to China’s growing global political influence, the Foreign Minister is striving for a closer alliance with other partners. Baerbock also has Taiwan’s future in mind.
With the speech broadcast on the Internet, Baerbock made up for an appearance that she had actually planned on site in Sydney last week. However, the Federal Foreign Minister had to cut short her trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji before she reached her first destination. After a refueling stop in Abu Dhabi, the landing flaps on the A340 of the Bundeswehr’s flight readiness service could not be folded in after take-off. Another attempt gave the same error. Baerbock returned to Germany by scheduled flight.
Partners against China’s growing influence
Currently, a “world of increasing systemic rivalry is emerging, in which some autocratic regimes seek to twist the international order to expand their spheres of influence, using not only military power but also economic influence,” Baerbock said. Numerous countries would turn more to China. In view of this, Germany and Europe wanted to “win partners who decide to work more closely with us because we both benefit from it”.
The Indo-Pacific will play a crucial role in the 21st century, Baerbock said. A third of the global gross domestic product is generated here. A fifth of German world trade is accounted for by the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Against the background of China’s aggressive tone towards Taiwan, Baerbock emphasized: “Any unilateral change in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait would be unacceptable.” This applies all the more if this would involve coercive measures or military means. The communist leadership in Beijing regards the independently governed Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and threatens to conquer it.
With a view to the climate crisis, Baerbock said: “It is up to us to form coalitions to bring about change.” That is why Germany, together with Australia, is supporting the Pacific island states in making their voices heard internationally. Germany opened a German embassy in the island state of Fiji in the South Pacific for the first time on Saturday.