Chinese authorities express disapproval over Wadephul's assertions about China's so-called aggressiveness

China faces criticism from Wadephul over alleged aggressive behavior - Chinese authorities express disapproval over Wadephul's assertions about China's so-called aggressiveness

German Foreign Minister Criticizes China's Actions in Taiwan Strait and South China Sea

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has criticized China's "aggressive stance" towards the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, prompting a response from Beijing. Wadephul's remarks, made before his visits to Japan and Indonesia, challenge China's sovereignty claims and actions in these sensitive regions.

During his criticism, Wadephul emphasized the need for a rules-based international order and described China’s behavior as undermining international rules and stability. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rebuked these comments, stating that the Taiwan question is China's internal matter and that the one-China principle forms the political foundation of China’s foreign relations.

China views the democratic and self-governing Taiwan as a wayward province that belongs to the People's Republic and should be reunified with the mainland, if necessary. Similarly, China asserts territorial claims in the South China Sea, which it strongly defends against external criticisms or interventions. Beijing's stance on these issues is firm and non-negotiable.

In the South China Sea, China has built artificial islands and military facilities, exacerbating territorial disputes. Indonesia, along with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, also claims parts of the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, maintains that the situation in the East and South China Seas is generally stable and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair.

Wadephul's criticism of China's actions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, including China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which Wadephul also condemned. A meeting at the White House on Monday between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and several other European leaders is planned.

During his visit to Tokyo, Wadephul criticized China's Ukraine policy and commented on China's expansionist efforts in the Pacific region, stating that China repeatedly threatens to unilaterally change the status quo and shift borders in its favor. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Beijing called on "relevant parties" to respect the fact that countries solve problems through dialogue and consultations and maintain the common interests of peace and stability.

Wadephul met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo. He also plans to visit the World Expo in Osaka and travel to Indonesia. The central topics for the meeting with Indonesian leaders will be security guarantees for Ukraine in a peace solution and the stance towards Russian territorial claims. Wadephul called for firm security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to effectively defend itself after a ceasefire and peace agreement.

Despite Wadephul's specific criticism of China's actions in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas, the Chinese ministry spokesperson did not address the potential consequences of any escalation in the region for global security and the world economy. The one-China principle, which Beijing refers to as a "fundamental norm for international relations" and enjoys broad support in the international community, remains a key aspect of China's position on these issues.

1. John Wadephul, the German Foreign Minister, is drawing statements about China's "aggressive" actions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
2. Wadephul's criticism of China has prompted a response from Beijing, reiterating its stance on the Taiwan question.
3. China views Taiwan as a wayward province that should be reunified with the mainland, if necessary.
4. Wadephul's remarks also challenge China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.
5. Beijing maintains that the situation in the East and South China Seas is generally stable and the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair.
6. Indonesia, along with other countries, also claims parts of the South China Sea.
7. Wadephul's criticism comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, including China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
8. A meeting at the White House is planned between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several European leaders.
9. Wadephul also criticized China's Ukraine policy during his visit to Tokyo.
10. He commented on China's expansionist efforts in the Pacific region while meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
11. Wadephul called for firm security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to effectively defend itself after a ceasefire and peace agreement.
12. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not address the potential consequences of any escalation in the region for global security and the world economy.
13. The one-China principle remains a key aspect of China's position on these issues and is widely supported in the international community.
14. Wadephul, in his statements, emphasized the need for a rules-based international order.
15. China’s behavior, according to Wadephul, undermines international rules and stability.
16. Mao Ning, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, rebuked Wadephul's comments, stating that the Taiwan question is China's internal matter.
17. Wadephul's visits to Japan and Indonesia took place before his criticism of China.
18. In addition to politics, Wadephul's interests lie in education-and-self-development, personal-growth, mindfulness, sports, and various leagues such as the Champions League, NFL, soccer, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, and racing.
19. Wadephul's personal beliefs also involve goal-setting, skills-training, job-search, general-news, crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, weather, and European leagues.
20. The issues of war-and-conflicts, car-accidents, and policies and legislation are also part of his focus.
21. His statements about China's actions could potentially impact the world economy.
22. Takeshi Iwaya, the Japanese Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Wadephul during his visit to Tokyo.
23. Wadephul also plans to visit the World Expo in Osaka and travel to Indonesia after Tokyo.
24. Apart from sports-betting, sports-analysis, weather-forecasting, and auto-racing, Wadephul has shown interest in mixed-martial-arts and premier-league, American football, NBA, Masters, Grand-Prix, horse-racing, and various European and American leagues such as Serie-A, LaLiga, NCAACup-Football, and Tennis.

Read also: