BEIJING, April 15 (Portal) – China’s top diplomat Wang Yi “hopes and believes” that Germany will support China’s “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Wang made the remarks at a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is visiting China through Saturday, adding that China once supported Germany’s reunification.
“To maintain cross-strait stability, it is necessary to firmly oppose separatist activities related to ‘Taiwan independence,'” Wang said, adding that Taiwan’s “return to China” is an important part of the international order after World War II has been.
On Friday, Baerbock said any attempt by China to control Taiwan would be unacceptable and would have serious repercussions for Europe. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell agreed with her remarks.
Beijing, which claims to have democratically ruled Taiwan as a Chinese province, has never ruled out using force to seize control of the island. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s government has dismissed China’s position, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday it strongly endorses Baerbock’s comments.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanks many senior officials in the executive departments of various countries, including Germany, for their solidarity with Taiwan,” it said.
Deviating from the policies of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the government of Olaf Scholz is developing a new China strategy to reduce dependence on Asia’s economic superpower, previously a key export market for German goods.
German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger visited Taiwan last month, a trip China denounced as “disgusting”.
After Tsai returned from Los Angeles, where she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, China held three days of military drills across Taiwan starting April 8, including simulated precision strikes with bombers and missile troops, infuriating Beijing.
Wang also said China stands ready to step up exchanges and communications with Germany to enhance mutual understanding and prepare for a new round of Sino-German intergovernmental consultations.
Beijing newsroom reporting; writing by Liz Lee; Edited by Christian Schmollinger
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