German Paper Runs Chinese Op-Ed on Taiwan

On May 17, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken (吳懇) published an op-ed in the Berlin-based newspaper Berliner Zeitung, arguing that respecting “core interests” is essential for “de-risking” China-Europe relations. The article defended China’s position on Taiwan and criticized Western countries for allegedly supporting the forces of “Taiwan independence”  — an accusation frequently levelled by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ambassador’s piece followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary from May 5-10, 2024, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China in April 2024.