Baerbock gets involved in the Taiwan conflict - and feels China's protests

Created: 08/04/2022 05:15

By: Stephanie Munk

Annalena Baerbock warns China of attacking Taiwan.

Beijing reacted promptly – with an official protest.

But the Foreign Minister followed up again.

New York/Beijing – Annalena Baerbock has angered the Chinese leadership.

During a trip to the United Nations in New York, the Green politician sharply attacked China's threatening gestures towards Taiwan.

After her arrival in the USA on Monday, August 1, Baerbock literally said: "We do not accept it if international law is broken and a larger neighbor attacks its smaller neighbor in violation of international law - and that of course also applies to China." In her subsequent speech to the United Nations, she also criticized China, Russia, Iran and North Korea for developing their nuclear weapons.

Baerbock takes on China because of Taiwan - Beijing reacts

China reacted to Baerbock's statements with an official protest: The head of the European department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Lutong, officially expressed his displeasure on Tuesday, August 2nd, in front of Patricia Flor, the new German ambassador in Beijing.

He criticized Baerbock's "false comments" and insisted that the Taiwan issue was an "internal matter of China".

He repeated this in several posts on Twitter.

Baerbock follows up on Taiwan again – despite official protests from China

Nonetheless, Baerbock upped the ante in a speech on transatlantic relations at a New York college on Tuesday, August 2.

She said, "We have learned painfully in the past few months since February 24 that aggressive rhetoric can lead to dangerous action," she said.

"China's statements regarding Taiwan have raised serious questions." Baerbock continues: "It cannot be in our interest if China also creates escalating economic dependencies in the region."

Nancy Pelosi travels to Taiwan - China is angry

The conflict between China and Taiwan, which had been smoldering for decades, also came to a dangerous boil because top US politician Nancy Pelosi had traveled to Taiwan - for the Chinese this means an absolute breach of taboo and a serious provocation.

"Whoever plays with fire will burn himself," China warned in no uncertain terms beforehand.

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Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its People's Republic and strictly rejects official contacts from other countries to Taipei.

Nancy Pelosi was not impressed: The 82-year-old landed in Taipei on Tuesday evening as the highest US politician for a quarter of a century.

China promptly announced nearby target practice maneuvers.

You can read everything about Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan in our news ticker.

China and Taiwan: That's what the conflict is about

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Baerbock emphasizes partnership with USA - "Perhaps closer than ever before"

The actual topic of Baerbock's speech in New York on Tuesday was the relationship between Europe and North America.

Title of her contribution: "Seizing the Transatlantic Moment: Our Common Responsibility in a New World".

Baerbock promoted a transatlantic “partnership in leadership” based on three pillars: security cooperation, rules-based international order, and strengthening democracy.

She stressed that the connection between Europe and North America is "perhaps closer today than at any time since the end of the Cold War" in light of the Ukraine war.

In her speech, Baerbock also supported the protest for abortion rights in the USA.

The Green politician paid tribute to the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets in the United States for women's rights.

"As a woman and a mother of two, I wholeheartedly share her feelings," said the German Foreign Minister.

"Every woman has the right to make decisions about her own body."

In the evening Baerbock wanted to continue to Canada.

There she will meet Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly during her inaugural visit.

Canada is Germany's NATO partner and also plays a central role in the onward transport of a turbine from the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. Russia claims to have throttled the gas supply to Europe because the turbine was not being delivered.

On Wednesday, August 3, Chancellor Olaf Scholz assessed the situation for himself and spoke of a "bluff by Putin".