Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also criticizes Wang Yi’s ‘threats’ to the Czech Republic after the Czech high-ranking trip to Taiwan
Germany on Tuesday urged China to withdraw the National Security Law imposed in Hong Kong and allow international observers to visit the Uighurs in Xinjiang, marking the end of the official trip by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Europe.
At a press conference after bilateral talks, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also criticized Wang Li’s “threats” against the Czech Republic after the country’s Assembly president traveled to Taiwan, a discussion that overshadowed Beijing’s intended focus on cooperation with the largest economy in the European Union (EU).
Germany, which currently holds the presidency of the EU, plans to organize a special conference with the President of China, Xi Jinping, later this month. Other EU leaders are also expected to attend, in an attempt to increase pressure on Xi to accept broader market access for EU companies as part of an EU-China investment deal still under negotiation.
Four of the five European countries Wang visited publicly raised concerns about Hong Kong, leaving the Chinese official on the defensive, echoing the country’s need to contain Hong Kong’s independence movements.
Maas, however, rejected Wang Li’s guarantee that Hong Kong’s freedoms were protected by the new law. “We want the ‘one country, two systems’ principle to be applied as completely as possible,” he asked.
Maas also warned that elections to the Legislative Council would take place in Hong Kong “quickly and unimpeded.” The elections, planned for September, have been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that is plaguing the world. Democratic opposition groups see the postponement as illegitimate.
