- Germany's federal minister of education and research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, will visit Taiwan, the first visit by a German federal minister to the island nation in 26 years.
- The visit has highlighted divisions in Berlin over the handling of its relationship with China amid rising geopolitical tensions between Beijing and the West.
- The visit will focus on semiconductor research, co-operation on green hydrogen and research into batteries.
- Germany has one of Europe’s closest economic relationships with China and the way in which it balances its ties with Beijing and engagement with Taipei will resonate across the EU.
- Stark-Watzinger's visit should not severely disrupt Germany’s relations with China.
German minister to visit Taiwan despite Berlin’s push for dialogue with Beijing
Planned trip by Bettina Stark-Watzinger next week would be first of its kind in 26 years
Yuan Yang
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