The German government will authorize the participation of a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned shipyard Cosco in the commercial port of Hamburg below 25% in one of its terminals to prevent it from exercising its influence over critical infrastructure.
The decision is seen as a compromise between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trio. Both the Greens and the Liberal Party (FDP) rejected the participation of the Chinese company, which planned to acquire 35%.
But according to liberal Agnes Strack Zimmermann this compromise is a major mistake in uncertain times.
The European Populares were more forceful when tweeting: The German chancellor paves the way for the Chinese to take over parts of the Port of Hamburg.
“Mr. Scholz, our infrastructure must not become a gift before your visit to #China!
It seems that the strategic challenges regarding China have not reached @OlafScholz yet.”
Despite the controversy, Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz will travel to China accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, resuming a practice of his predecessor, Angela Merkel.
