Germany urged to resist “megaphone diplomacy” as Beijing rebukes postponed visit

Wang framed the phone conversation as a rebuke of what Beijing views as inflammatory rhetoric, stressing the depth of China–Germany trade ties and urging Berlin to support China on questions of sovereignty rather than amplifying geopolitical tensions. For Beijing, the spat is as much about diplomatic style as substance: officials see public criticism from a major European partner as an unhelpful escalation and want sensitive issues handled through quiet, managed channels rather than headline diplomacy that feeds domestic politics in both capitals.

In Berlin the reaction was mixed. Wadephul and government spokespeople stressed that the trip was postponed, not cancelled, and defended the right to raise concerns about regional security and export controls; opposition and coalition partners offered differing takes on whether Germany should recalibrate its China strategy. The episode highlights a broader European dilemma: how to pursue trade and investment with China while responding to security, human-rights and technology-control concerns in ways that do not simply trade away leverage or invite punitive responses.

Practically, the row is likely to produce more behind-the-scenes engagement than public confrontation. Both sides have incentives to avoid a long freeze: Germany relies on China as a major market and manufacturing partner, while Beijing values European economic links and political cover. The immediate questions are procedural, rescheduling the ministerial visit, clarifying meeting formats, and strategic: whether Berlin will persist with a tougher public stance or revert to more private diplomacy to manage differences without derailing cooperation on trade, climate and global governance.