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Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke out in favor of closer economic cooperation between Germany and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.
The cooperation with Germany and Europe should be considered in particular as an alternative to partnerships with China: "The Asia-Pacific region is much more than China," said Scholz on Monday at a conference of German business in Singapore.
»My message is: Germany would like to strengthen economic relations with your region.«
Scholz emphasized that he is not aiming for decoupling from China.
However, the most recent party congress of the Communist Party made it clear how much the country had changed in the past five to ten years.
"Our political and economic approach must take this into account." Of course, China remains an important economic and trading partner.
»But you always need two for a tango.«
Scholz announced that reducing one-sided dependencies on certain raw materials and important technologies will play a special role in the national security strategy that is currently being drawn up.
In order to ensure secure supply chains, trade relations would have to be broader.
War in Ukraine threatens global peace
In his speech, Scholz also referred to the global effects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
"Strengthening our cooperation is crucial because we are all feeling the geopolitical ground shifting beneath our feet." The war is threatening the global peace order.
"That's why it's so important that we don't let Putin get away with his imperialist goals."
The Chancellor is traveling in Asia for four days – the longest journey of his term of office so far.
Before Singapore, Scholz visited Vietnam.
On Monday evening we continue to the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.
col/Reuters
