EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called Brussels' Indo-Pacific strategy a "milestone". But just hours before its publication, a US-led security pact is taking the wind out of the plan's sails, angering France – and calling transatlantic cooperation in the region into question.
By Amelie Richter
Behind the scenes in Berlin, France's president is campaigning for a reform of the Stability Pact. But his liberal party friends, of all people, are giving him a raw deal. The FDP's possible participation in government is viewed critically in Paris.
By Till Hoppe
Some EU countries are reacting to Beijing's sanctions by summoning their ambassadors – in Berlin, too, there was a meeting with Wu Ken. Meanwhile, resistance to the CAI investment agreement continues to form in the European Parliament: First, the punitive measures against EU parliamentarians must be withdrawn before the agreement can be discussed, emphasize the Greens and Social Democrats. The large EPP group and the EU Commission, however, continue to adhere to CAI and its goal.
By Amelie Richter
In 1964, China and France announced the beginning of their diplomatic relations. China gladly affirmed that France was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the new People's Republic of China. Thus, the first air connection with China was opened, the establishment of centers for Chinese culture was approved, and the first faculty for the Chinese language in a Western country was authorized. And yet, the relationship was not always only positive. In the 21st century, for example, the Sino-French relationship faces new challenges. In view of the power struggle between the USA and China in the Indo-Pacific, France fears for its influence on New Caledonia, and thus to be pushed to the margins. That's because New Caledonia is home to 25 percent of the world's nickel reserves - the gold of the 21st century. The AUKUS military alliance was supposed to limit China's power in the Indo-Pacific, but on New Caledonia it achieves the exact opposite and lies heavily on the China-France relationship. In the current boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics, France chooses to send its athlete:s to China. From emissions trading to sanctions & the Indo-Pacific conflict to the anti-Huawei law & CAI - current China-France news in from the Table.editor!
