Scholz travels to China for a “sincere” meeting with an eye toward improving bilateral relations

BERLIN, Nov. 3 (DPA/EP) –

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to China on Thursday to hold what he described as a “sincere” meeting with the country’s authorities with an eye toward improving bilateral relations.

“The pursuit of national security and national autonomy will be more important for China in the future. And as the country changes, the way we deal with it must change as well,” he said.

Thus, he has admitted that the war in Ukraine has changed international relations, but has stated that, “even in these circumstances, China remains an important trade and business partner for Germany and Europe. “We do not want to disassociate ourselves from it (… .) but we can’t depend either,” he asserted.

In this sense, he stressed that Germany will seek to end “unilateral dependencies” in relation to certain products or technologies, which includes Chinese investments in Germany. “We will differentiate based on whether that business creates or increases risk dependencies,” he explained in relation to the recent controversy raised as a result of the investment made by a Chinese shipping company in the port of Hamburg, in the north of the country.

Last week, the German government authorized a 24.9 percent stake by the Chinese shipping company Cosco in one of the terminals in the port of Hamburg, instead of the 35 percent initially planned.

“We will continue to insist on reciprocity (of business with China). And if China refuses to allow this reciprocity, there must be consequences,” he said before guaranteeing that he will not avoid addressing “difficult” issues with the Chinese government, such as the situation in Taiwan or the alleged violation of Human Rights in the Xinjiang region.