3 ms·
German state visits to China all follow the same pattern. We go there, we bring presents, we talk about 'human rights' for a few minutes - a fig leaf just so we
by DocTomoe 4y ago
German state visits to China all follow the same pattern. We go there, we bring presents, we talk about 'human rights' for a few minutes - a fig leaf just so we can claim moral superiority at home - and then we talk business for the next two to three days.
Up to now, that worked pretty nicely. Beijing knows that Germany, and by extension Europe, is unwilling to stop cooperating, especially since China for the longest time has been Europes 'extended workbench'. Berlin knows that Beijing is a reliable partner in manufacturing. Everyone is happy, no-one wants to change the status quo.
The situation is similar to the situation with Russia pre-2020 - and the last thing Europe needs is the US rattling the bars of another reliable partner.
- lispm 4y agoIf China tries to invade Taiwan, that situation will change.
- DocTomoe 4y agoWe'll see. China has been just about to invade Taiwan for 40 years, or longer. That being said: Russia was relatively little intertwined with our (= European and American) economies. That's a different situation with the PRC. I think it is not unlikely that there will be less unity in a "Case Taiwan".
- lispm 4y ago> I think it is not unlikely that there will be less unity in a "Case Taiwan". That's possible, but the consequences will still be vast. Many countries will go into a decade accelerating decoupling their economies from China. High tech will take a huge hit, stock markets may crash, ... A more authoritarian rulership in China with a democratic Taiwan as an alternative model is at odds.