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Switch between Berlin and Beijing: Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (both CDU - right) in conversation with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (top left) and the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC), He Lifeng
Photo: Michele Tantussi / dpa
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang meet with their cabinet members for virtual talks - and have a lot to talk about, from vaccines to human rights.
At the start of the government consultations, the Chancellor called on China for a better partnership in the fight against the coronavirus.
“We can only contain this pandemic together.
China and Germany can play an important role in this, ”said Merkel in Berlin.
Merkel suggested speaking openly and transparently about vaccine production and about mutual recognition of vaccines, "at least at the World Health Organization, in order to win the fight against the virus."
Li admitted in his opening statement that China and Germany have different views on some issues. This is an objective fact. Merkel spoke specifically of differences of opinion on the subject of human rights. Part of the partnership is also “that we can address difficult issues and put everything on the table”. As an example, she cited the situation in Hong Kong, where Beijing is restricting political freedoms with the so-called security law.
She hoped that “we would get the human rights dialogue going again as soon as possible,” Merkel said to Li. “It is not enough for us both to talk about these issues, but it should come back to the justice ministers in depth come to the table. ”The Chancellor basically defended the dialogue with Beijing: Conflicts can only be resolved if you keep talking.
Sixth edition of the German-Chinese meeting
The German-Chinese government consultations will be organized online this year due to the pandemic.
It is the sixth edition of the talks between Germany and China that have taken place every two years in this large format since 2011, during which the members of the cabinets also meet for deliberations.
An economic forum with company representatives was also on the program in Beijing.
In her statement, the Chancellor also addressed the investment agreement between China and the European Union (EU).
The agreement could also be a cornerstone for transparent economic relations, mutual market access and reciprocity; it would create more legal certainty and transparency.
Sensible working conditions everywhere and for all people in Germany and China are of great importance.
At the end of last year, China and the EU agreed in principle on an investment agreement that had been pushed forward under German leadership.
It is intended to improve access to the Chinese market.
China only vaguely promises "sustained efforts" to ratify two conventions against forced labor.
The agreement has not yet been fully negotiated.
It also needs to be approved by the European Parliament, where protest against China's sanctions is growing.
"Strategic soft power policy"
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Norbert Röttgen (CDU), had warned of naivety in dealing with China before the meeting. "China is pursuing a strategic soft power policy in Germany and other parts of the world," said Röttgen. “A lot happens subcutaneously and subcutaneously. But in the end, a lot comes together. You can get your foot in the door, exert influence and, if necessary, create dependencies. "
The consultations between Merkel and Li Kegiang are overshadowed by the problems of the German economy with China's strict entry restrictions due to the pandemic.
There are also tensions over Germany and Europe’s criticism of China’s tough course in Hong Kong and its dealings with the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang Province.
According to estimates by human rights activists, hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in China have been sent to re-education camps, which Beijing describes as "training institutions".
mrc / dpa
