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
“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.
“Also with China, we have developed close and good relations over the past 40 years and it is rather clear that for Germany and Europe a decoupling between China and Europe is not in our interest,” he said.
“Together with China, we want to work on common solutions for global challenges like fighting climate change and shaping global trade relations. That is our position and will continue in that way.”
After the US election, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Heiko Maas published a rare joint opinion piece in The Washington Post that the EU and the US should consult each other to coordinate an approach to China on human rights, digital infrastructure and fair trade.
Xi calls for Germany, Europe to ‘remain open to Chinese companies’
Despite the close economic engagement, Beijing has faced difficult bilateral challenges with the European Union and its member states since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our bilateral relations are always embedded in our membership of the European Union. Germany acts also in solidarity and in close coordination with the European institutions and with our European partners,” von Goetze said.
In his own words: German ambassador on Hong Kong, economy and Indo-Pacific
He said the two countries differed in political systems and values and such differences should be discussed in “an open manner”.
“We have repeatedly addressed issues over Hong Kong and Xinjiang, together with our European and international partners,” he said.
“This is not only something that concerns our German-Chinese relations, but Europe as a whole.”
“Our objective remains to keep the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ with autonomy for Hong Kong, with political pluralism and the freedom of opinion guaranteed, and that China keeps the obligations made in this respect. And we will continue to engage in that direction,” he said.
Coronavirus: Germany questions need for extra test for China flights
Beijing and Brussels held the 34th round of the bilateral talks, and the next round is scheduled for the second week in December, although both sides remain committed to concluding the deal by the end of 2020.
“Whether the deal can be reached by the end of the year depends on the political will of both sides to find the necessary common ground,” he said, adding that a level playing field for European companies should be guaranteed.
“That is why we have to insist that the Chinese market is as open for European companies as the European market is for Chinese companies, that they are not disadvantaged in competition and that they have the same chance to participate in public tenders as Chinese companies. These are essential points and that’s exactly what we want to achieve in the negotiations.”
Germany released its Indo-Pacific guidelines in September, making it the second European country after France to issue an Indo-Pacific strategy, seeking a stronger presence and diversified engagement in the region.
German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said this month that China was a “system challenge” and Germany would send a frigate to patrol in the Indo-Pacific next year and German officers would be deployed on Australian avny units.
Why is Germany wading into the Indo-Pacific’s strategic waters?
The ambassador said Germany took a holistic approach to the region, including engaging in military cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries and continuing to hold regular excursions in the region.
“We have not yet worked out the exact route for the frigate and there will be navy ships coming on a regular basis and they will take different routes and operate on their own,” he said.
Von Goetze said he also saw “strong interest” in working jointly with China and the US to fight climate change.
“If the US would rejoin international efforts to fight climate change, that’s most welcome. But I don’t see that this contradicts the ongoing cooperation between Europe and China. We have to gain as much support worldwide as possible to fight climate change,” he said.