German Foreign Minister Wadephul Postpones Scheduled China Visit Due to Unconfirmed Meetings
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has decided to postpone his planned trip to China, which was originally scheduled for early next week, citing a lack of confirmed meetings with Chinese officials. According to the German Foreign Office, apart from an appointment with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, no additional substantive engagements were confirmed by the Chinese side.
The Foreign Office clarified that the trip would be rescheduled for a later date, emphasizing that there are currently numerous important topics for discussion with the Chinese government. Despite ongoing efforts by the German government to diversify supply chains and enhance the competitiveness of the German economy, maintaining a cooperative relationship with China remains a priority. German companies, in particular, have expressed concerns over trade restrictions, especially regarding rare earth elements and semiconductors, both critical to German industry.
Officials also highlighted the interconnected nature of security in Asia and Europe, stressing the importance of dialogue with China on issues related to global stability. The German government continues to seek China's constructive role in achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, given China's significant influence over Russia. This position aligns with Germany's broader diplomatic objective of ending Russia's military actions against Ukraine and upholding the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state.
The postponement of the visit comes amidst heightened diplomatic tensions. Recently, the Chinese government criticized Germany's stance on the Taiwan issue, interpreting Berlin's call for maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait as tacit support for Taiwanese independence. China reiterated its expectation that Germany adhere to the One-China principle, under which most countries recognize only the People's Republic of China and not the self-governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
In past statements, Minister Wadephul has been critical of China's actions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly regarding perceived threats to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. He has also raised concerns about China's increasingly assertive behavior in regional affairs. Had the visit proceeded, Wadephul would have been the first minister from the new German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to visit China.
German political parties responded to the postponement, with some seeing it as a logical response to the apparent unwillingness of the Chinese government to engage in open dialogue. Concerns remain among German lawmakers about the state of human rights in China, unfair economic practices, and China's diplomatic posture toward Taiwan and other regional partners. Additionally, the German business community has become increasingly uneasy due to Chinese export controls on rare earths, which are essential for the production of motors, turbines, and sensors.
There is also dissatisfaction within the German government regarding China's role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, especially considering China's continued economic engagement with Russia. German officials have underscored that their interest lies in Russia ending its military campaign and respecting international law.
Despite the postponement, Berlin has made clear its intention to maintain open channels of communication with Beijing. The German government continues to seek constructive engagement on a wide range of issues, including trade, security, and international conflict resolution, and has expressed hope that future meetings will allow for substantive and direct dialogue.