BEIJING — China sharply rebuked Germany on Monday, accusing Berlin of fueling confrontation after a senior German official warned that Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific posed risks to global security.
During a visit to Japan, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said China had repeatedly sought to “unilaterally change the status quo and shift borders in its favor,” pointing to its actions in the Taiwan Strait as well as the East and South China Seas. Any escalation in these vital shipping lanes, he warned, would have grave consequences for both international stability and the global economy.
A statement released before Wadephul’s Asia tour echoed those concerns, saying Beijing was “increasingly asserting its regional supremacy” in ways that challenged international law and undermined principles of coexistence.
Beijing’s response was swift. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed the accusations, insisting that “the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea remains generally stable.” She urged outside powers to respect regional sovereignty, resolve disputes through dialogue, and “safeguard the common interest of peace and stability, instead of inciting confrontation and hyping up tensions.” Mao also reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position that “the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair.”
In Tokyo, Wadephul went further, accusing China of enabling Moscow’s war against Ukraine. “Without it, the war of aggression would not be possible,” he said, noting Beijing’s role as Russia’s largest supplier of dual-use goods and a key buyer of its oil and gas.
His comments came ahead of high-level talks in Washington, where U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders were discussing security guarantees for Kyiv. Wadephul stressed that Ukraine must be able to defend itself even after any ceasefire, calling firm commitments essential to a just and lasting peace.
