German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is due to meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday against the backdrop of numerous international conflicts.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday that Baerbock wants to discuss the Russian war against Ukraine and the human rights situation in China, among other things. Beijing is considered Moscow’s most important ally.
Further political talks are planned in the capital, Beijing, as well as a meeting with German business representatives, the spokesman said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry had already announced the visit by the Green Party politician.
The smouldering trade conflict with China is likely to be another topic of discussion at the meeting with Wang. The EU accuses Beijing of distorting competition through subsidies and decided in October to impose extra tariffs on Chinese electric cars. China is considering countermeasures that could affect German carmakers.
From Beijing, Baerbock is due to travel to Brussels for a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday and Wednesday. The main topic of discussion there will be further support for Ukraine.
Other topics will include the threat posed by hybrid attacks, Russia, and Moscow’s ever-closer cooperation with China, North Korea and Iran, said a German Foreign Office spokesman.
