German Strategy on China – A Critical Appraisal

It is difficult to imagine today’s world without the People’s Republic of China. The country’s significance is immense. Over the past 20 years, trade with China has been the guarantor of prosperity for almost all Western countries; to effectively address global challenges such as climate change, China’s active participation is necessary; geopolitically, the country also plays a crucial mediating role. Nonetheless, China frequently positions itself outside the framework of the rules-based international order. Against this backdrop, Western countries have been discussing the possible contours of a revised stance toward the People’s Republic of China for several years, aiming to counter the country’s increased power consciousness and ambition to shape global affairs. In this vein, in July 2023, the Federal Republic of Germany introduced the “Strategy on China”, the first comprehensive concept paper on China policy issued by a European nation, attempting to address the aforementioned ambivalence in its relationship with China: It views China as a key partner in addressing global challenges, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival – especially in light of China’s efforts to reshape the rules-based international order.