Es ist eine unbequeme Position, in der sich Deutschlands Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel befindet: Die sich verändernde globale Ordnung bringt die Vereinigten Staaten und die Volksrepublik China in ein Sicherheitsdilemma, da beide Großmächte um die geostrategische Vormachtstellung im asiatisch-pazifischen Raum konkurrieren. Das Südchinesische Meer ist zum Hauptschauplatz der angespannten chinesisch-amerikanischen Beziehungen geworden. Washingtons Beamte kritisieren, Berlin sei «zu sanft» gegenüber Chinas Expansionspolitik. Allerdings ist Deutschland auf die Wirtschaftsbeziehungen mit China angewiesen...
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Uncomfortable? The Sino-U.S. Rivalry in the South China Sea – and Germany’s Position
It is an uncomfortable position which Merkel is currently sitting in. A shifting global order puts the United States and the People’s Republic of China in a Security Dilemma as both major powers compete for geostrategic supremacy in the Asia-Pacific.
The South China Sea turned into the major venue of the tensed Sino-U.S. relations. Washington’s officials criticize Berlin for being «too soft» on China’s expansion policy. However, Germany is depending on the mutually beneficial economic ties with China. This balancing act is challenging since a fragile European Union has no common foreign policy strategy.
This paper examines Germany’s relations to all relevant partners – the US, China, the EU and the NATO. It comes to the conclusion that Germany as new key player of Brussels should engage leadingly in weaving together the fragmented European nations. The transatlantic-dialogue needs to be expanded in an Asian-Pacific context and the role of the NATO must be discussed regarding its international scope.
It is essential for Berlin to keep the Asian doors open for global economy as intensifying multilateral engagements can enhance stability. This economic driven policy can be used for de-escalatory diplomacy. Presenting an impartial mediator in the South China Sea conflict avoids Germany being caught between two stools...
