Since Tuesday, the minister has been the first member of a federal government to be in the country for more than a quarter of a century.
(Photo: dpa)
Taipei The visit of Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) to Taiwan was met with sharp protests in China. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the trip a “monstrous act” in Beijing on Tuesday. China lodged a protest with the German side and expressed its “sharp disapproval”.
Stark-Watzinger has been in Taiwan since Tuesday, becoming the first member of a federal government in more than a quarter of a century. For Beijing, Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic, and the island itself has long considered itself independent.
The ministry spokesman called on the federal government to adhere to the so-called one-China principle and “stop interacting with Taiwan’s separatist forces and sending them false signals immediately.” Wang Webin added, “We will do whatever is necessary to resolutely defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Like most other countries, Germany maintains diplomatic relations with China, but not with Taiwan.
On her two-day trip, the FDP Minister will meet representatives from science, research, education and government representatives from this area. On Tuesday, the Federal Research Minister and Taiwan’s Science Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu signed an agreement for increased research cooperation.
In the paper, both sides declare their intention to cooperate on a broad basis in science and technology. The FDP politician called Taiwan a “value partner”, also with regard to research. She referred to academic freedom and transparency.
The Taiwanese Minister of Science and the Federal Minister of Research at their meeting in Taipei.
(Photo: Reuters)
The trip has met with great public interest in the democratic island republic. The signing was followed by numerous journalists. Wu said given the Chinese criticism of the visit, it is perfectly normal for leaders from two countries to exchange ideas. And as a free and democratic country, Taiwan will continue to exercise this right.
Stark-Watzinger called it a “great pleasure and honor” to be the first female minister to visit Taiwan in 26 years. However, she emphasized again that the visit was about a “professional exchange”. (…). “That is the purpose of this journey.”
Topics in their talks include cooperation in battery research, so-called green hydrogen and semiconductor research. Taiwan is one of the world’s most important semiconductor manufacturers.
More: Beijing is upset about the German research minister’s trip to Taiwan