Taiwan Responds to Germany's Expression of Support for New Coalition Government (Comprehensive)

Scholz Coalition Agreement Mentions 'Taiwan·Human Rights'... China Objects as "Internal Affairs"

Olaf Scholz, the designated Chancellor of Germany (fifth from the left), is holding a joint press conference with the leaders of the coalition parties on the 24th (local time) in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Bloomberg)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As Germany's new coalition government, set to launch early next month, expressed support for the Taiwan issue, the Taiwanese government responded by hoping for enhanced friendly cooperation between the two countries.

On the 26th, according to Liberty Times and United Daily News, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that regarding the new German coalition government's agreement expressing support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations and for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, "we look forward to the enhancement of friendly cooperation between both sides in the future."

Ou Chang-an, spokesperson for Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that they hope to strengthen friendly cooperation with Olaf Scholz's new government, expand mutually beneficial relations in various fields, and maintain and protect the current situation in the Taiwan Strait as well as international peace and prosperity.

He also explained that Germany and Taiwan have signed cooperation and exchange agreements in 12 fields over the past four years, and that with the aviation service agreement that came into effect in mid-July, a direct flight route to Munich will be established.

Furthermore, he noted that the new German coalition government is expected to emphasize fair trade, as well as security, democracy, and human rights values in the Asia-Pacific region, attributing significant meaning to this expression of support.

Earlier, the coalition agreement released the previous day openly criticized issues considered core interests by China, such as "human rights, Hong Kong, and Taiwan." The agreement stated, "We support democratic Taiwan's substantive participation in international organizations," and "We support resolving disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea based on international law."

On the other hand, China strongly opposed this, calling it interference in internal affairs. Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "The previous German administration supported the 'One China' policy, and we hope the new government will adhere to this policy, respect China's core interests, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations."

He added, "Germany should focus solely on cooperation based on practical interests," and warned, "We want to emphasize that issues related to Taiwan, the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang are all China's internal affairs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.