Following a meeting between Chinese and German foreign ministers at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in late April, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned Germany against undermining bilateral cooperation under the guise of "de-risking," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed on Monday (November 3) that he and Wang Yi had spoken again, agreeing to maintain ongoing dialogue on diplomatic and economic issues and planning to resume his planned visit to China in October.
'ReutersAccording to the report, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Wang Yi spoke with Waldfeld "at the request of the German side," emphasizing that the stable development of China-Germany relations is in the interests of both sides and is also conducive to global peace and stability. Wang Yi pointed out that both sides should resolve differences through dialogue, and "should not engage in microphone diplomacy, nor make unfounded accusations that contradict the facts."
Regarding the Taiwan issue, Wang Yi reiterated that "the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," and mentioned that China had unconditionally supported German reunification, expressing hope that "Germany, having experienced the pain of division, can understand and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposing all acts of Taiwan independence." He also stated that both sides should establish a more stable and sustainable policy framework to ensure that Sino-German relations remain on the right track.
In response, the German Foreign Ministry stated that Wadford and Wang Yi had a "good and constructive" dialogue, exchanging views on diplomatic, security, and economic issues, and agreeing to maintain communication. Wadford reiterated that Germany's "One China Policy" remains unchanged, emphasizing the hope to resolve differences and advance partnership through dialogue. Wang Yi, in turn, invited German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to visit China at a suitable time.
Waldford was originally scheduled to visit China at the end of October, but the trip was postponed at the last minute. The German Foreign Ministry stated that the main reason was the lack of sufficient high-level meetings scheduled for the trip. However, it is widely believed that Beijing is dissatisfied with Waldford's repeated public criticisms of China's stance on the Taiwan Strait and the Russia-Ukraine conflict since he took office.
Previously, in mid-October, at the 40th anniversary event of the German-Japanese Center in Berlin, Wadford condemned China's military expansion as jeopardizing security in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, and criticized Beijing for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine through economic means. The report noted that Wadford also emphasized in an interview with Reuters that "Germany's One China policy will remain unchanged, but its design is determined independently by Germany."
