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Germany
China

German coalition seals deal for new government, new tough-talking China policy

  • The coalition agreement text contains more than a dozen references to China
  • The text says it seeks China’s cooperation ‘on the basis of human rights’ where possible

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Olaf Scholz delivers a statement after a final round of coalition talks to form a new government, in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Finbarr Bermingham

A deal announced on Wednesday confirmed that Germany will have a new government, a new chancellor and, according to the coalition agreement, a new and tougher policy on China.

Social Democrat Olaf Scholz will succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor, as Europe’s largest economy gets its first new leader for 16 years.

Scholz will form a government with the Green Party and Free Democratic Party (FDP), with both junior partners winning key cabinet positions, some of which they will fill with tough-talkers on China policy and foreign policy writ large.

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The coalition agreement text contains more than a dozen references to China, and for the first time mentions human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the erosion of rights in Hong Kong, and the situation involving Taiwan.
Free Democratic Party leader Christian Lindner, Social Democratic Party (SPD) top candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz, Green Party co-chairwoman Annalena Baerbock, Green Party co-chairman Robert Habeck, SPD co-chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and SPD co-chairwoman Saskia Esken pose for media after the presentation of the coalition contract in Berlin on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Free Democratic Party leader Christian Lindner, Social Democratic Party (SPD) top candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz, Green Party co-chairwoman Annalena Baerbock, Green Party co-chairman Robert Habeck, SPD co-chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and SPD co-chairwoman Saskia Esken pose for media after the presentation of the coalition contract in Berlin on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

“The language on China is the strongest ever to appear in a German coalition agreement, reflecting growing concerns about the direction of China under Xi Jinping,” said Noah Barkin, managing editor with Rhodium Group’s China practice.

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