Content
Asia
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany assumed diplomatic relations in 1972. Since then, contacts between the two countries have become ever closer, and ever more multifaceted. Today, China is Germany’s most important economic partner in Asia, and Germany is China’s number one trading partner in Europe.
China is the world’s most populous country. It is home to more than 1.3 billion people – almost 20 per cent of the world’s population. For millennia China was a monarchy, becoming a republic in 1912. In the 1930s, Japan occupied large swathes of the country. During this period the rival Communists and Republicans in China joined forces against the Japanese, and China entered the Second World War on the side of the Allies. From 1946 onwards, the civil war between the Communists and the Republicans erupted once more. It ended in 1949 with victory for the Communists and the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Nationalists withdrew to the island of Taiwan, where they formed their own government.
The Federal Republic of Germany, like the vast majority of other countries in the world, follows a one-China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. That is why it does not have any diplomatic relations with Taiwan; there are good, close cultural and economic ties however.
Development cooperation
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany have been engaging in cooperation since 1981. Since then, the country has undergone major changes. Yet there are still structural problems in China for which there are no short-term solutions. These include widespread poverty, corruption and a level of environmental pollution that also has a global impact. China is currently the second largest emitter of CO2, after the USA. As such, the People’s Republic has a major influence on how the global climate is developing.
Sino-German cooperation today focuses on a dialogue which supports processes of reform, particularly in the spheres of law, society and climate protection. The classic form of Financial Cooperation was brought to an end in 2008 in favour of this dialogue process. German Development Minister Dirk Niebel announced in October 2009 that Technical Cooperation would now also be phased out. However, the German government will continue its Rule of Law Dialogue with China.
Help for earthquake victims
Following the devastating earthquake in the central Chinese province of Sichuan in May 2008, Germany pledged 20.1 million euros in aid to China. More than 60,000 people were killed during the earthquake and more than 5 million lost their homes. The Chinese government had asked the international donor community and local civil society organisations and volunteers for support.
German Embassy
German Embassy in China
17, Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Chaoyang District
100600 Beijing
China
Phone:
+86 / 10 / 85 32 90 00
Fax:
+86 / 10 / 65 32 53 36
