"After a second attempt, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's inaugural visit to China finally came to fruition on Monday, with the top diplomat meeting Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice President Han Zheng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The original trip had been planned for the end of October but was canceled on short notice. At the time, it was said that Wadephul had been unable to arrange a sufficient number of high-level meetings."
"Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and passed the so-called Anti-Secession Law in 2005, which legitimizes the use of armed force for "reunification" with the mainland if Taiwan declares independence. China also bristles at any international criticism of its pressure on Taiwan, often claiming such criticism amounts to outside interference in "internal" affairs. Walking the Taiwan tightrope The Taiwan issue is at the heart of China's core interests, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng reiterated when he met with Wadephul on Monday"
Johann Wadephul completed an inaugural visit to China and met Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice President Han Zheng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. An earlier planned late-October trip was canceled after Wadephul reportedly could not secure enough high-level meetings, and Berlin suspected his past criticism of China, particularly on Taiwan and the South China Sea, unsettled Beijing. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and cites the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which legitimizes the use of force if Taiwan declares independence. Han Zheng emphasized Taiwan as a core interest and the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wadephul committed to the One-China policy on behalf of the new federal government.
Read at www.dw.com
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