Energy News  
TRADE WARS
Germany's Scholz set for high-stakes China visit
By Sam Reeves
Frankfurt (AFP) Nov 1, 2022

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a high-stakes trip to China this week, walking a tightrope between shoring up a key economic relationship and facing heightened concerns about over-reliance on authoritarian Beijing.

Scholz, accompanied by a delegation of business executives, will be the first European Union leader to visit the world's second-biggest economy since 2019.

During the one-day trip on Friday, he will hold talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

But the visit has sparked controversy, coming as Berlin reels from an over-dependence on Russian energy imports that left it exposed when Moscow slashed supplies following its invasion of Ukraine.

That crisis has prompted soul-searching about whether German industry's heavy reliance on China could again leave it vulnerable.

Surging tensions between the West and Beijing over issues ranging from Taiwan to human rights in Xinjiang have added to a worsening geopolitical climate, and even senior figures within Scholz's coalition are raising concerns.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she feared mistakes made in the relationship with Russia could be repeated with China.

"We must prevent that," Baerbock -- from the Greens, a member of Scholz's uneasy three-party ruling coalition -- told broadcaster ARD at the weekend.

"I think it is extremely important that we never again make ourselves so dependent on a country that does not share our values."

- 'Minimise risks' -

The sensitivity was highlighted when a row erupted last month about whether to allow Chinese shipping giant Cosco to buy a stake in a Hamburg port terminal.

Ultimately, Scholz defied calls from six ministries to veto the sale over security concerns, instead permitting the company to acquire a reduced stake.

Some in government will view shoring up the economic partnership with China as crucial at a time Germany, battered by the energy crisis, is hurtling towards a recession.

Ahead of the trip, Scholz's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit stressed the chancellor was not in favour of "decoupling" from China -- but also wanted to "diversify, and minimise risks".

For now, the German and Chinese economies remain deeply intertwined.

China is a major market for German goods, particularly for auto giants Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and many jobs in Europe's top economy depend directly on the relationship.

The worsening climate has rattled the nerves of German firms with investments in China. BASF chemicals giant boss Martin Brudermueller, who will accompany Scholz, last week urged an end to "China bashing".

Still, the timing of the trip has raised eyebrows, coming so soon after Xi Jinping secured a historic third term as China's leader.

"The timing is extremely unfortunate," Heribert Dieter, from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told AFP.

Xi "has just been confirmed for another five years in office, and of course Chinese politicians see the German chancellor's visit as confirmation of their policies", he added.

- 'Follow its own path' -

Hebestreit insisted the visit will "cover the entire spectrum of our relations with China", including tensions in East Asia, and human rights.

He said the war in Ukraine would be on the agenda. While Germany has firmly condemned Russia's invasion, China has steadfastly avoided criticising Moscow and instead blames the United States and NATO for the conflict.

He also said that Scholz was in close contact with international partners in Europe, as well as the United States, about the visit.

But some may see it as further evidence of Germany going it alone to look after its own interests.

Berlin has already raised hackles among fellow EU members by unveiling a 200-billion-euro ($198 billion) fund to shield consumers and businesses from surging energy prices, rather than acting together with the rest of the bloc.

"Western allies -- of course in Paris but above all in Washington -- see this trip very critically," said Dieter.

"Germany is following its own path."

bur-sr/dlc/pvh/smw

BASF

BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

VOLKSWAGEN


Related Links
Global Trade News


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


TRADE WARS
China's Xi says ready to take Brazil ties 'to new level' after Lula election
Beijing (AFP) Oct 31, 2022
Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his victory in Brazil's presidential election and wished the country "new successes". "I am willing to work with president-elect Lula to make joint plans from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and take the China-Brazil comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level," Xi said in a congratulatory message, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Xi said deepening bilateral cooperation would be "conducive to ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TRADE WARS
US, UAE announce clean energy partnership worth $100 bn

In Niagara Falls, bitcoin mining brings a new roar to town

S.Africa will need $500 bn to reach net zero: World Bank

ECB says banks need to be 'climate change proof'

TRADE WARS
Despite conflict Russia sends France giant magnet for nuclear fusion project

UK battery firm Britishvolt near collapse: reports

Space for the future: green steel, sweet air, happy plants

Stretchable battery packaging with moisture and gas barrier could power wearable devices

TRADE WARS
US to offer leases for Pacific offshore wind energy platforms

Wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa plans 2,900 jobs cuts

Spain, UK making headway on renewable energy: report

Europe and China operate the largest number of offshore wind farms

TRADE WARS
Tandem solar cells with perovskite: nanostructures help in many ways

Solar Park offer higher yield across the same area

Dye-sensitized solar cells achieve a new record

Scientists have proposed a new material for perovskite solar cells

TRADE WARS
Poland, South Korea sign letter of intent on nuclear plant

Poland says first nuclear power station to cost $20 bn

Poland picks Westinghouse to build nuclear power station: PM

French unions agree to lift strike at nuclear plants

TRADE WARS
Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces Airbus' Scope 1 emissions

Engineering duckweed to produce oil for biofuels, bioproducts

On-site reactors could affordably turn CO2 into valuable chemicals

Onshore algae farms could be 'breadbasket for Global South'

TRADE WARS
Saudi Aramco posts 39 percent jump in profits

Saudi, UAE say oil demand not going away, days before COP27 climate talks

Energy giant Repsol fined again after Peru oil spill

China's President Xi expected to visit Saudi Arabia: Saudi FM

TRADE WARS
Scholz chides climate activists for targeting artworks

Stop 'counterproductive' attacks on famous paintings, says art world

Paris museum says painting was target of attempted attack

Biden will attend COP27 climate summit: White House









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.