German government still divided on new strategy towards China

German government officials have yet to find common ground in discussing and formulating a new strategy with China.

(05.24) Thủ tướng Đức Olaf Scholz thảo luận với Phó Thủ tướng, Bộ trưởng Kinh tế Robert Habek và Bộ trưởng Tài chính Christian Lindner. (Nguồn: T-online)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed with Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics Robert Habek and Minister of Finance Christian Lindner. (Source: T-online)

“Germany’s broader national security strategy is due to be discussed in the Cabinet on June 14. We cannot have a strategy with China in just six days (the time leading up to the bilateral discussion),” one of three German government sources said.

The ruling coalition is currently engaged in a heated debate over its strategy toward China. Both the Greens-led Foreign Ministry and the Economy Ministry support a more restrictive approach to economic relations with Beijing. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has advocated screening German companies doing business in China to protect sensitive technology and know-how.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to boost the economy through an investment project by the Cosco Shipping Group (China) in the container port in Hamburg, which is considered a strategic asset.

Last year, the leader ordered a review of Germany's interactions with China – its largest trading partner, but also a competitor and strategic rival to Beijing.

However, Germany will only unveil its China strategy when the ruling coalition unveils a broader national security strategy, which will also address arms exports and whether Berlin should launch cyber counterattacks against entities after being attacked.

Last weekend, at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Mr. Scholz affirmed that large investments will continue to flow to China, even as governments seek to minimize risks when exposed to the world's second-largest economy.

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