Merz Backs One-China Policy as Beijing Downgrades Cebu Delegation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a Singapore lecture on Oct 27 that decoupling from China “would be a big mistake”, according to The Straits Times. He said Germany pursues de-risking and diversification and maintains its One-China policy on Taiwan.
Merz also warned that “any escalation or violent change to the status quo in the Indo-Pacific would have grave consequences for global security and prosperity.” He is due in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Separately, China’s defence ministry said a defence attache from its Manila embassy, not Defence Minister Dong Jun, will lead its delegation to the ASEAN defence ministers’ meeting-plus in Cebu on Oct 29, Taiwan Defence reported. Yonhap noted that Beijing gave no reason.
The South China Morning Post reported that US and Japanese forces have rehearsed coordinated anti-ship strikes in Keen Sword 27.
None of these reports points to a new confrontation.