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The Chinese embassy in Berlin has accused German lawmakers of making “irresponsible remarks” about Taiwan’s independent status. The Bundestag’s human rights committee says it is time for Germany to admonish China’s actions.
The Chinese embassy in Berlin issued a strong reprimand on Wednesday after the German parliament’s human rights committee arranged a meeting with Taiwanese politicians.
In a statement on its website, the embassy said that German officials had made “irresponsible remarks” on issues related to China, such as the status of Taiwan and the recently introduced national security law in Hong Kong.
The meeting took place in the Bundestag federal parliament in the German capital on Monday. Taiwanese politician Jhy-Wey Shieh attended in person, while Taiwanese Digital Minister Audry Tang and two deputy ministers participated via video link.
Following the discussions, committee chair Gyde Jensen said it was important for Germany to take a clear position against Beijing regarding the independent status of Taiwan:
“It is strongly expected from the Taiwanese side that Germany will not only admonish China as a distant bystander regarding the actions in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” Jensen told the German news agency dpa. “We must be the ones who clearly demand that international law be observed.”
Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the island off the southeast coast to be part of its territory.
China frequently reacts hostilely to attempts by foreign governments to recognize or conduct official exchanges with Taipei, insisting that countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing should renounce relations with Taiwan.
Only 15 small countries recognize Taiwan as a state, but its democratically elected government has extensive commercial and informal ties with many nations. Germany has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the German Institute in Taipei coordinates with the authorities there.
However, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, “Taiwan and Germany are important value partners, which are connected by close and substantial scientific, cultural and economic relations.”
There is only one China ‘
Wednesday’s statement from the Chinese embassy urged Germany to honor its commitment under the “one China policy.”
“There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, “the statement said. “Adherence to the one-China policy is an explicit political commitment by the Federal Republic of Germany, which also forms the basis of Sino-German relations.”
The statement also criticized what it called “interference” by German politicians who have criticized China’s introduction of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong. This is “very unacceptable to the Chinese people,” the statement said.
In August, China warned the president of the Czech Senate, Milos Vystrcil, that it would pay a “high price” for an official visit to Taiwan. The trip was attended by 90 representatives, the largest Czech delegation to ever visit Taiwan since the European country became a democracy in 1989.
