Wadephul Postpones China Trip, Heads to Brussels

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed a planned visit to China after Beijing confirmed only one substantive meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which Berlin said made the trip unjustified and regretted; the visit would have been the first ministerial trip since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May. The cancellation comes amid rising tensions over Taiwan, Beijing’s new export curbs on rare earths and chips, disputes tied to the Dutch takeover of Nexperia, and German concerns about Chinese support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Instead of travelling to Beijing, Wadephul will hold consultations in Brussels with EU and NATO partners and India’s trade minister to press support for Ukraine, bolster European defence and discuss securing supplies of critical raw materials and semiconductors. China’s foreign ministry urged Germany to take a long-term, strategic view of bilateral ties and stressed mutual respect and equality while insisting the one-China principle leaves "no room for any self‑definition." Berlin said it will seek to reschedule the ministerial visit.