Smoothing Tensions
January 21, 2008
The Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed reports that German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has covertly been in touch with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi in past months to heal a rift caused by Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to receive the Dalai Lama in Berlin last year.
A statement published on the ministry website said that difficulties in relations between the two countries had to be surmounted. It said Germany had come out in support of the "One China" policy, which regard Tibet and Taiwan as Chinese territory.
The foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu also reinforced the message, saying Beijing attributed "great importance" to friendly relations with Germany.
According to a report in Spiegel magazine, Merkel was aware that Steinmeier had been exchanging letters with Yang but was not informed about the details.
Yang is also expected in Berlin on Tuesday, Jan 22, for a meeting of the foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany. They will discuss imposing further sanctions on Iran for failing to halt sensitive nuclear work.
Merkel welcome in China?
Meanwhile, German daily Handelsblatt reported that Chinese Science and Technology Minister Wang Gang had said Merkel is welcome in the Chinese capital.
Merkel is "welcome in Beijing at any time, also for the Olympic Games," Wang told the business newspaper in an interview. China was interested in extending "dialogue with Germany on all levels," the minister added.
Ties between China and Germany plunged last year after Merkel became the first the German leader to receive the Dalai Lama in the chancellery.
Her meeting with the exiled Tibetan leader prompted China, which is hosting the Olympic Games from August, to cancel a series of high-level bilateral meetings and cultural events.
The row raised fears among Germany's business leaders about the impact it could have on trade. It also led to concerns that it could further complicate the West's efforts to reach agreement with China on dealing with the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Merkel said last week that she had no regrets about her historic meeting with the Dalai Lama, who has been branded a dangerous separatist by Beijing.
"I think that friendly relations can withstand differences of opinion," Merkel told reporters.