01.12.2022, Berlin.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action plans to withdraw political support from German-Chinese projects, as follows from a working paper of the ministry, the German news magazine The Pioneer reported on December 1.
The German authorities plan to significantly reduce the dependence of its economy on China, the magazine informs. According to the plans of the ministry, Chinese firms should be excluded from tenders for projects related to critical infrastructure.
In addition, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action headed by Robert Habeck considers it necessary to close China’s access to financial assistance programs for developing countries in 2023. Bilateral projects between Germany and China can be implemented only with “an adequate financial contribution from China (at least 50 percent),” the newspaper quotes the document of the ministry.
The German authorities are also concerned about the critical dependence on China in some areas of production. For example, in the automotive industry, hydrogen technology, electric mobility and renewable energy sources. In addition, the ministry points to the high political and economic risks for German companies in China.
China is one of the largest economic partners of Germany. However, with the coming to power of the Alliance 90/The Greens relations between the countries have deteriorated significantly. Thus, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habek tried to block a deal on China’s purchase of a share in the port of Hamburg. The deal only went through thanks to the decision of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
German experts suggest switching West Germany’s trade relations with China to other Asian countries.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
