China-EU decoupling not an option but Beijing must step up on markets, human rights, virus: German envoy

Germany’s ambassador to China calls on Beijing to be open in its dialogue on the big global issues if it seeks to further its relationship with Europe

New Indo-Pacific guidelines point to Germany’s ‘holistic approach’ to the region

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German ambassador to China Clemens von Goetze says Germany wants to work with China on global challenges such as climate change. Photo: Tom Wang

Published: 9:00am, 30 Nov 2020Updated: 2:10pm, 30 Nov 2020

A decoupling between China and Europe is not a policy option for Germany, but Beijing should ensure equal footing for market competition and address concerns about human rights, Germany’s ambassador to China, Clemens von Goetze, said.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, von Goetze called on Beijing to engage in open dialogue with Europe about Hong Kong while deepening cooperation on global issues, including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.

China reached out to European leaders after the United States election as hopes surged across the Atlantic for better US-Europe bilateral relations during the upcoming presidency of Atlanticist Joe Biden, which may in turn lead to more coordinated pressure on Beijing.

“The EU and Germany have and do pursue policies both towards the US and China that are based on our own German and European interests and values,” said the ambassador, who has served as Berlin’s envoy in Beijing since September 2018.

He said the US was a key partner on economy, security and values for Germany, but relations with China also mattered.

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