BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) will visit Taiwan next week. This was announced by her ministry on Friday. The trip from Monday to Wednesday is the first German ministerial visit to the democratic island state since 1997. At that time, Federal Economics Minister Günter Rexrodt (FDP) visited Taiwan. The aim of the trip is to strengthen and expand cooperation in science, research and education. “Taiwan is a high-tech location and a world leader in the development and production of semiconductors in particular.” The FDP politician will therefore meet government representatives from research, education, science and business in the capital Taipei.
Taiwan considers itself independent, but China considers the island part of its territory. Beijing rejects any form of official diplomatic contacts between Taiwan and other countries, and official relations with the People’s Republic cannot be maintained if they exist with Taiwan. There are only a few countries in the world that recognize Taiwan diplomatically.
Two Bundestag delegations had already visited the island republic in the autumn. Beijing reacted angrily. Previously, the visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had heightened tensions with China. The visit of America’s number three was the highest in a quarter century. China responded with missile tests and military maneuvers, during which a naval and air blockade and a conquest of Taiwan were practiced.
According to the Ministry of Education, Stark-Watzinger’s trip will be carried out within the framework of the existing one-China policy of the European Union and the federal government and in line with the goals of the coalition agreement