EU must speak with one voice on China: Wolfgang Ischinger
June 10, 2021
Munich Security Conference Chair Wolfgang Ischinger has criticized EU policy on China, saying the bloc must learn to speak as one. That way, he says, Brussels and Washington can coordinate their approach to Beijing.
Ischinger said relations with China were at the heart of a new era of "competition and cooperation" described in the Munich Security Report 2021.
What was the advice to EU leaders?
Speaking after the release of the report, Ischinger drew a distinction between the US approach to China, and that of the EU.
"We know that the United States has a China policy," said Ischinger. "They know what they want to achieve with China... Does the European Union speak with one voice on China? Can our partner in Washington define what is the EU position on China? Not really so far."
Ischinger urged European leaders to define areas where they can agree on policy towards China, and then coordinate with the United States on a common strategy.
Hong Kong marks Tiananmen anniversary — in pictures
Despite a ban on vigils by Beijing, Hong Kong residents found ways to remember the massacre that took place in Tiananmen 32 years ago.
Image: Isaac Lawrence/AFP
Cleaning the Pillar of Shame
Hong Kong students clean the Pillar of Shame statue on the 32nd anniversary of the massacre on Tiananmen Square, which officially left 300 people dead, according to government statistics, after the Chinese military brutally suppressed protests in support of democracy. Independent international estimates put the toll at several thousand.
Image: Lam Yik/REUTERS
Police march on Victoria Park
Police warned Hong Kong residents not to attend the banned Victora Park memorial event Friday. In years past, tens of thousands of people gathered in Victoria Park to honor the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre, which occurred 32 years ago.
Image: Vincent Yu/AP Photo/picture alliance
Police warning
Police officers banners referenced the national security law imposed by Beijing. They warned that Hong Kong residents gathering in Victoria Park to mark the anniversary could face prosecution. Officers arrested an organizer of the annual candlelight vigil.
Image: Vincent Yu/AP Photo/picture alliance
Vigils with smartphones ...
Historically, candles were lit at 8 p.m., with a minute's silence at 8:09 p.m. to signify the year 1989. After police closed Victoria Park, people used the lights on their cellphones (seen here in the Causeway Bay district) to signal their support for democracy commemoration of the Tiananmen victims in China.
Image: Isaac Lawrence/AFP
... and traditional candlelight
A woman holds candles in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong to remember the Tiananmen Square victims. After police closed Victoria Park, Hong Kong residents around the city found their own ways to mark the massacre of students.
Image: Isaac Lawrence/AFP
Disrupting memorial gatherings
Police move to disperse Hong Kong residents gathering in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong. Authorities had cordoned off the traditional gathering place Victoria Park, citing fears over coronavirus.
In some cases, he said, greater cooperation with China was needed while, in others, a policy ensuring the West could compete with it was more desirable.
"We need to figure out the proper way of balancing between areas of cooperation and areas of pushback," he said. Areas such as climate change and arms control were highlighted as fields where continued cooperation with Beijing was essential.
But at the same time, said Ischinger, the West needed to compete on the highest level.
"Power in the 21st century means competing in high technology, competing in artificial intelligence, competing in the power over data. Who controls data will be controlling the world."
