In the future, Germany will cooperate more with Asian countries, for example with Japan, India and the ASEAN countries, led by Indonesia. On September 2, the German Foreign Ministry launched the Indo-Pacific Policy Guidelines, a programmatic document that will promote a common framework for the international order of the 21st century at both the German and EU levels. According to a September 4 Deutsche Welle report, this is not only a demonstration of Germany’s determination to broaden its partnerships and become more involved in shaping the international order of tomorrow, but also a reorientation of German policy toward China: on the one hand, to reduce dependence on China, and on the other hand, to put pressure on China by building multipolarity. At the same time, the aim is to strengthen multilateralism, enhance peace, security and stability, promote rules-based, fair and sustainable free trade, and work to combat climate change and promote human rights and the rule of law.
In his introduction, German Foreign Minister Maas referred to the “new bipolarity” of today’s world, noting that Germany, as a globally active trading power and defender of a rules-based international order, cannot stand idly by and strengthen its relations with the Asia-Pacific region: “We are very interested in promoting multilateralism in the region, and in particular in strengthening ASEAN – in strengthening a multilateral, rules-based, regional, multilateral, rule-based, and global order. multipolarity.” In addition, “the German government supports both the EC and individual countries in the region and, in the long run, the negotiation of a free trade agreement with ASEAN.”
Gabriel Felbermeyr, director of the Kiel Institute for World Economy, argues that Germany needs to open up more trade possibilities with other Asian partner countries. Against the backdrop of the ongoing decoupling of the United States from China, Felbermeyr points out that Germany, as an important trading and technology partner of China, can exert greater influence to induce China to follow the principle of reciprocity and to build a more balanced relationship, uniting Europe in a balanced and rational way.
In a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on September 1, Maas made it clear that “we Europeans do not want to be puppets between China and the United States” and that Europe will deal more confidently with China in the future.
In addition to concerns about Germany’s future role in the international political arena, another important factor in Germany’s adjustment of its Indo-Pacific and China policies is its desire to reduce its dependence on China.
Recent Comments