German Chancellor Olaf Scholz yesterday warned Iran against further attacks on Israel as the escalating conflict in the Middle East overshadowed the start of his three-day tour of China.
Scholz is visiting the southwestern town of Chongqing, as well as Shanghai and Beijing, as part of a visit to shore up ties with Germany’s top trade partner while addressing growing rifts over issues including Chinese trade practices and its support for Russia.
However, Iran’s attack on Israel looks set to redefine the agenda and tone of the visit.
Photo: Reuters
For example, Scholz was yesterday to participate from his hotel in a video meeting of G7 leaders to discuss Iran’s attack, a German delegation source said.
“We will do everything to stop a further escalation,” Scholz told reporters. “We can only warn everyone, especially Iran, against continuing this way.”
German officials had also expressed hope before the trip that Beijing could play a positive role in cooling the growing tensions in the Middle East, despite their critical assessment of its support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz, who is traveling with several German CEOs, is tomorrow to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強).
The chancellor earlier yesterday visited German auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH’s hydrogen fuel cell plant in Chongqing, putting the spotlight on an area of rising tensions.
The EU is carrying out several probes into whether Chinese green tech exports such as battery electric vehicles have benefited from state subsidies, which could harm local producers.
Germany’s auto industry fears these probes could lead to a trade dispute that could damage their prospects in the world’s biggest auto market.
Scholz’s visit is being watched for signs of how much Germany backs the EU probe and is willing to go against the wishes of a key national industry.
Scholz yesterday said that the Bosch plant showed the importance of cooperation in tackling challenges such as climate change.
Berlin’s overall stance on China has become more critical since the war in Ukraine.
Last year, Germany also published its first China strategy, describing “unfair practices” and the risks to supply chains in a potential conflict over Taiwan, while urging “derisking.”
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