German Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul’s trip to China has been canceled, a spokesperson for his ministry said yesterday, amid rising tensions between the two nations, including over Taiwan.
Wadephul had planned to address Chinese curbs on rare earths during his visit, but his comments about Berlin deciding on the “design” of its “one China” policy ahead of the trip appear to have rankled China.
Asked about Wadephul’s comments, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) said the “one China principle” has “no room for any self-definition.”
Photo: EPA
In the interview published on Thursday, Wadephul said he would urge China to relax export restrictions on rare earths and semiconductors, and raise the importance of free movement of goods through the Taiwan Strait, a vital trade corridor, during his planned China visit.
If free movement “were no longer possible there due to violent conflicts, it would have an impact on prosperity in many parts of the world,” he said.
“Our one China policy continues unchanged — and we decide on its design. This also includes that there must be no violent change of the status quo,” Wadephul added.
In Beijing, Guo told reporters: “There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China.”
“This is the most complete and accurate expression of the one China principle, and it is the only expression, with no room or justification for any self-definition,” he added.
Wadephul’s visit to Beijing was to have started tomorrow, but was canceled due to scheduling issues, his spokesperson said.
“The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” German foreign ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer told reporters in Berlin.
She declined to say which country had canceled the trip, adding that Germany regretted the development, given China’s importance as a country “which like no other has influence over Russia in its war against Ukraine.”
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