German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has praised the strength of ties with Japan and underscored the importance of strategic partnership. He also called out China for being “increasingly aggressive.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul began his first trip in office to Japan by praising his host country as Berlin’s “premium partner” in Asia, noting that Tokyo and Berlin share a “longstanding, deep and close friendship.”
Wadephul, speaking alongside Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, called democracy and adherence to the rule of law shared values, something he said was important in “a time of crises and conflict.”
Wadephul pointed to Ukraine, Gaza and Iran to “highlight that closer cooperation among friends and natural allies is becoming increasingly essential.”
The Japanese foreign minister also underscored the importance of a close partnership between the G7 members — both leading economies in Europe and Asia — in the face of threats to the established international order.
Wadephul calls out ‘aggressive’ China
Wadephul was unambiguous about the source of the threat to democracy and rule of law in the region, railing against repeated Chinese threats to “unilaterally change borders” in the Asia-Pacific.
“China repeatedly threatens, more or less openly, to unilaterally change the status quo and shift borders in its favor,” Wadephul said.
The German minister chided China’s “increasingly aggressive” behavior in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China seas.
“Any escalation in this sensitive hub of international trade,” he said on Monday, “would have serious consequences for global security and the world economy.”
The “fundamental principles of our global coexistence,” he added, “are at stake here.”
DW’s Berlin bureau chief, Rosalia Romaniec is traveling with Wadephul. She said it was no coincidence that the German foreign minister opted for a clear message.
“I believe that part of the new federal government wants to appear self-confident. Perhaps that’s their new stance regarding China,” she said.
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