Politics German Vice-Chancellor to China - a diplomatic tightrope act
It's complicated - that's probably the best way to summarize the political relationship between Germany and China.
13.11.2025, 10:14
13.11.2025, 10:15
SDA
The relationship is strained, both in terms of foreign policy and economic issues. The German Foreign Minister has just postponed a planned visit to Beijing following a diplomatic scandal.
As a result, no chancellor or foreign minister is now traveling to Beijing for the inaugural visit of the German government in office since May, but Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil. "We shouldn't talk about China, we should talk to China," he explained in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa). "It is an important international player: there are many problems in this world that we can only solve together with China."
The head of the Social Democratic SPD - the coalition partner of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU and CSU) - is flying to the German-Chinese financial dialog on Monday, a regular meeting of the finance ministers of both countries. "I also expect that we will then clarify a few things with the Chinese side," he says ahead of the trip. It is likely to be Klingbeil's first diplomatic test.
Tightrope act one: Foreign Minister Wadephul's refusal
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was actually supposed to be the first representative of the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (both CDU) in China. However, Wadephul canceled his trip at the last minute. The Chinese side had only promised him a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi - too little from the German's point of view. At the same time, Beijing made clear statements against Wadephul's repeated criticism of China's Taiwan policy.
Even a clarifying telephone call obviously did not resolve everything: according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang warned his counterpart to refrain from "microphone diplomacy" and unfounded accusations. Will Klingbeil manage to strike the right note in this tense situation? He is traveling in close coordination with the Foreign Minister and the Chancellor, he emphasizes.
Balancing act two: the quest for power and human rights
Top German politicians always tread on thin ice diplomatically when visiting China. They don't like masters from the West. But at the same time, there are issues that a German politician cannot leave unspoken. Serious human rights violations are repeatedly criticized in the People's Republic, and Western guests usually have to address the issue of Taiwan.
China counts Taiwan as part of its territory, although the island republic has had a democratically elected government for decades. In Beijing, parallels are drawn with German reunification - but a military operation is not ruled out either. China's People's Liberation Army trains almost daily with warships and fighter jets off Taiwan.
According to diplomatic circles, the topic has recently come up more frequently at meetings with foreign guests. This probably explains the reaction to Wadephul's statement, which basically formulated a well-known position of the German government.
Klingbeil also said clearly in advance: "We are looking very closely at what is happening in Taiwan." If there is military action, "then that will lead to a different view of China."
Walking a tightrope three: economic relations
China sees itself as the winner of the trade disputes with the USA and has gained in self-confidence. There has recently been a demonstration of power in the chip industry, which is important for German car manufacturers. There are now signs that the Nexperia crisis is easing. However, this is not China's only economic policy lever. Beijing successfully used rare earths as leverage in the trade talks with the USA.
The metals and magnets made from them are used in smartphone and television screens, electric motor drives, semiconductors and turbines. German industry is therefore dependent on them. China has restricted its exports and German companies have to go through complex approval procedures.
Klingbeil announced that he wanted to talk about this. "Rare earths are an issue where I don't think we can accept a partner exploiting the advantage they have there," he says. In general, he has the impression that China wants to cooperate with Germany and appreciates it "when you talk straight politically at various points, when you don't try to conceal differences, but when you are open in the political debate".
Balancing act four: China's relationship with Russia
Another topic on which the German Vice-Chancellor wants to do this is China's role in the Russian war against Ukraine. "I will also give the signal again that we see a strong Chinese role and that we would of course also like to see the pressure on Russia increased to end this war that violates international law," says Klingbeil.
With regard to Russia, the Chinese have been promised a great deal of influence. State and party leader Xi Jinping received Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at the beginning of the month, and the relationship between the two nuclear powers is becoming closer. The Chinese leader likes to refer to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin as an "old friend".
From Ukraine's point of view, the Chinese peace proposals to date pursue Russian interests. In addition, China's oil imports from Russia continue to pour money into their war chest.
Balancing act five: The coalition at home
Critics accuse the SPD of pursuing a shadow foreign policy after Wadephul's refusal - especially as Chancellor Merz will probably not travel to China until next year. Klingbeil will be accompanied by a larger delegation, which will also take part in the traditional party dialog between the Social Democrats and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Chinese government could make this look like government consultations, it is feared - and drive a further wedge between the German coalition partners. It could give the impression that the SPD wants dialog while the CDU/CSU seeks confrontation with China.
Klingbeil himself rejects the accusations. He is in close consultation with Merz and Wadephul, he says, basically he just happens to be traveling as the first member of the government. At the same time, the tasks of a finance minister and vice chancellor also include maintaining international contacts, "and all the more so in these times when so much is happening in world politics".
