Merkel "lulled" by China? Seibert's declaration comes under fire before explosive meeting

Angela Merkel's and Li Keqiang's cabinets will meet on Wednesday via video link.

The Bundestag Human Rights Committee issued a clear warning beforehand.

Berlin / Beijing - The next German-Chinese top meeting is scheduled for Wednesday (April 28).

First of all, the pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel * increases: The chairwoman of the Bundestag Human Rights Committee demands clear words from the Chancellor.

In view of the “most serious human rights violations” in the People's Republic, the subject of human rights should not be “outsourced to the cat table” at the government consultations of Germany and China *, FDP MP Gyde Jensen told the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

“The federal government cannot hide behind the argument of 'different social systems'.

Human rights are never relative. "

Merkel under fire before talks with China: Human Rights Committee sees Chancellor "lulled"

The committee chairman warned against omitting the topic of human rights in order not to burden economic relations. "The fact that the federal government is taking the initiative here should also be in the interests of many participants from business," said Jensen. "For those who suspect that they are at least tolerating serious human rights violations in their own supply chain can cause lasting damage to their reputation."

Nor should the protection of human rights be outweighed by China's commitments in the area of ​​climate protection *.

"In the past, the Chancellor often gave the impression that the Chinese government lulled her with climate protection promises," criticized Jensen.

“Environmental concessions are not a diplomatic substitute for improvements in human rights protection.

When weighing things up, the answer must be: in case of doubt, for human rights. "

China: The human rights situation is a cause for concern - including in Hong Kong and Xinjiang

China is currently facing massive international criticism for its actions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in the province of Xinjiang - Jensen also referred to these two examples.

However, the communist leadership in Beijing regularly rejects criticism from abroad in the area of ​​human rights with sharp words.

According to human rights activists, up to one million members of the Muslim Uyghur minority are imprisoned in camps in Xinjiang, some of which are forced labor.

The US has classified its dealings with the Uyghurs as genocide.

In Hong Kong * the authorities are taking massive action against democracy activists on the basis of a so-called security law.

China talks: Merkel should address the economy, climate and environment - Seibert explains "differences of opinion"

The cabinets of Germany and China will meet on Wednesday under the leadership of the heads of government Angela Merkel (CDU) and Li Keqiang * for joint consultations - for the first time via video switching because of the corona pandemic.

According to the federal government, the exchange will primarily focus on economic relations as well as climate and environmental issues.

With a view to human rights policy, Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert had spoken of “disagreements” in advance.

This stemmed from "that completely different social systems sit together at the table".

According to Seibert, Li and Merkel want to hold a bilateral conversation on Wednesday and then discuss them with business representatives. After that, the cabinets of both countries should meet together. The government consultations take place every two years. Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock recently called for a stricter course towards China *. (

AFP / fn

) * Merkur.de is part