press reviews
“An almost impossible mission”: This is how the newspapers comment on Baerbock’s trip to China
First visit to China: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, here with her counterpart Qin Gang in the Diaoyutai state guest house
© Soeren Stache / DPA
Ukraine war, tensions over Taiwan: Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s trip to China comes at a difficult time. This is also reflected in the comments in the German press.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is on her inaugural visit to China. After a visit to a German wind turbine company and a partner school in the port city of Tianjin, the Green politician is scheduled to hold key political talks in Beijing this Friday. Given China’s backing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and tensions over Taiwan, this is considered the most sensitive part of their visit.
Recently, statements by French President Emmanuel Macron on China and Taiwan policy had caused a stir in the western camp. After a visit to China, Macron said with a view to the United States that Europe should not be a “follower” on the Taiwan question and should not become a “vassal”.
This is how the German press commented on Baerbock’s trip to China:
“OM Media” (Vechta/Cloppenburg): “Annalena Baerbock is traveling to China under the worst possible omen. The Green politician, who is considered the anti-China minister in Beijing, is now supposed to weigh up whether China should be treated as a partner, competitor or systematic rival. Of course, without the backing of a closed party Berlin traffic light coalition. At the moment, the only consensus that Baerbock could embody is that no one should have any serious interest in economic decoupling from the Middle Kingdom. The ball is primarily in Beijing.”
“The Bell” (Oelde): “The West’s concerns about China’s threatening gestures against Taiwan, human rights violations against the Uyghurs, the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong – the Green politician will probably address all of this. Her Chinese interlocutors should listen politely – and then, as always, point out that it is internal Chinese affairs. But if Baerbock doesn’t address these problems, she, who has repeatedly expressed herself critical of China, not only risks her personal credibility. As a representative of the federal government, she always speaks to a certain extent for the western, free-democratic community of values.”
“North Bavarian Courier” (Bayreuth): “It is reasonable that Baerbock wants to reduce dependency on China. However, given the economic realities, it is also a very lengthy project. What matters when Baerbock visits China is: talk, talk, talk – especially behind closed doors . This is the only way to sell China a little of what we want as what it wants itself.”
“Stuttgart Newspaper”: “For Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the visit to China is anything but a comfortable affair. The Chinese leadership is keeping a close eye on cracks in the western world. That French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe should not be a US vassal on the Taiwan issue It was a celebration for Beijing – and revealed differences in Europe. The fact that Baerbock has a difficult time with Chancellor Olaf Scholz because of some undiplomatic tones does not increase their weight in Beijing.”
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“New Osnabrück newspaper”: “Baerbock has to make it clear that Macron didn’t speak for Europe. It would be good if she took Scholz as a guide this time. She has to make it clear that the Europeans can care about Taiwan. She also has to push for China’s efforts to Bringing the Ukraine war to reason. And hitting the right note. Nothing would be worse than showing China a new German China course after a French one.”
“Reutlingen General Gazette”: “So Baerbock has to try to smooth things over on her trip so as not to damage the German economy in its dependence on China. At the same time, she has to show strength and make it clear that insisting on Western values is not just lip service. An almost impossible one Mission.”