Germany’s Scholz begins trip to China amid tensions over electric vehicles, Russia By Reuters
Andreas Rinke and Sarah Marsh
CHONGQING/BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Olaf Scholz began a three-day trip to China on Sunday aimed at strengthening ties with Germany’s top trading partner and resolving conflicts over issues including China’s trade practices and support for Russia. .
The Prime Minister’s longest visit to the country since taking office is likely to be overshadowed by Iran’s attack on Israel, and attention is also paid to how much Germany supports the European Union’s investigation into state subsidies for Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, which has recently emerged as an issue. . A controversial issue.
Scholz, who was traveling with several German CEOs, began his trip in Chongqing, a large city in the southwest. He is also scheduled to visit Shanghai and Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Scholz said upon arrival he condemned Iran’s attacks on Israel “in the strongest possible terms.” According to government sources, Scholz was kept informed of the situation in the Middle East during the flight.
German officials said China could play a positive role in easing rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
China last year acted as a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Reuters called on Iran to curb attacks on Red Sea ships by Iran-backed Houthi rebels or risk harming business ties with China. It was reported that it was done.
Nonetheless, Berlin’s overall stance toward China has become more critical since the Ukraine war.
Last year, Germany also published its first China strategy, outlining risks to its supply chain from “unfair practices” and potential disputes with Taiwan and calling for “de-risking.” But efforts to diversify away from China have been uneven so far.
On Sunday, Scholz will visit German auto supplier Bosch’s hydrogen fuel cell plant in Chongqing, shedding light on a region where tensions are rising.
The EU is carrying out several investigations into whether China’s exports of green technologies, such as battery EVs, have benefited from state subsidies and could harm local producers.
The German auto industry fears the probe could lead to a trade war that could damage its prospects in the world’s largest car market.
Chancellor Scholz is also expected to mention China’s support for Russia. German officials said frankly on Friday that China’s support and exports to Russia had enabled Russia to wage an aggressive war in Ukraine and were “increasingly damaging China’s reputation” in Europe and beyond.
“China does not support Russia, which is waging a brutal war with its neighbor Ukraine,” Scholz wrote in a post on social media platform X on Saturday.
