Michael Schaefer, 73, was Germany's ambassador to Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games
As Germany's former ambassador to China, Michael Schaefer has gained unique insights into the People's Republic. Frank Sieren spoke with the retired diplomat about human rights and the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Schaefer urges more unanimity among EU member states. The EU should draw red lines when it comes to importing goods produced under forced labor. At the same time, however, Europe needs to engage in intensive dialogue with China.
Mr. Schaefer, at the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing in the summer of 2008, you were the highest-ranking representative of German politics as ambassador apart from the private attendance of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. At that time, the German government protested against China's human rights course with a sort of diplomatic boycott. Beijing certainly was not pleased with that. How did you feel about that?l about that?
