Mikołaj Wozniak, Konrad Falkowski
3.07. Germany blocks the agreement between Volkswagen and China
On the 3rd day of July of this year, the media heard that the national Government of Germany blocked the entry into force of the agreement between the German automotive giant Volkswagen and the People's Republic of China. The content of the proposed agreement afraid the sale of Volkswagen-dependent MAN Energy Solutions. This company, owned by the Volskwagen Group, specializes in the production of large diesel engines and turbine machines for marine applications.
Volkswagen's daughter company was to be sold to the Chinese state-owned company CSIC Longjiang GH Gas Turbine Co. (this company belongs to the China State Shipbuilding corp – the leader of the Chinese shipbuilding industry), and the beginning of sales talks took place as early as June 2023. However, the situation began to get complicated erstwhile a fewer months later, in September, MAN Energy Solutions announced that the German government had decided Take a closer look the full transaction.
German decision-makers decided stop Further improvement of this agreement "for reasons of security" – as stated by German Home Minister Nancy Faeser, thus confirming the words of German Minister of Economy Robert Habeck. He stated that technologies that are essential for "public security" should be protected from countries that may not always have friendly relations with us. According to Reuters, any German politicians fishy that the acquisition of MAN Energy Solutions and gas turbines produced by the company could be utilized not for civilian purposes, but on the contrary, for the improvement of the Chinese Navy. At the same time, Habeck pointed out that Germany is open to abroad companies' investments, however, there are any limitations aimed at ensuring safety, and the agreement between Volkswagen and Beijing has just hit them. According to the government, gas turbine technology is utilized in ‘safety-relevant areas’. The German Minister for economical Affairs, without giving any more details, wrote: “This was the reason why we banned it.”
The Chinese responded the next day. Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the People's Republic of China, during her regular press conference, asked about the German-Chinese movement, stressed the importance of Chinese-German trade cooperation and the importance of deepening it, as well as Beijing's opposition to "turning average business cooperation into policy and safety matters and creating obstacles to specified cooperation". Finally, she added that China hopes in Germany that "they will guarantee a fair, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from China and another parts of the world".
The decision of the government of Olaf Scholz can indeed be considered from a political and safety perspective, as was abandoned by the Chinese MFA spokesperson. But it fits precisely in the concept of "threating risks" that the European Union is pushing. All the more so now that EU-China relations are highly tense. Germany so seeks to influence its own business by trying to reduce its economical dependence on China.
4.07. The European Union imposes duties on Chinese electrical vehicles
As announced, so it was done. little than a period has passed since the European Commission announced its willingness to impose provisional countervailing duties on electrical cars of Chinese origin. In the erstwhile “Overview” the subject was discussed extensively (we encourage you to getting acquainted). July 5 was the day the announcements entered into force eventually. However, there were any changes.
W press release The European Commission reiterated that the provisional countervailing duties apply to ‘Chinese imports of battery-powered electrical vehicles’ (BEV). The reason for specified a turnaround is the consequence of a nine-month investigation according to which Chinese companies benefit from ‘unfair subsidisation’, and this in turn is ‘a threat of economical injury to the Union producers of BEV’. Further information for the press indicates that the European Union has conducted extended consultations with the Chinese side. This can be read as 1 of the reasons why the value of the duties was somewhat reduced, in peculiar as the Communication itself states: ‘Compared to the rates disclosed in erstwhile information on 12 June 2024, the provisional duties were somewhat adjusted downwards on the basis of comments on the accuracy of the calculations submitted by the parties concerned.’ But it should be clearly noted that "minor" must be interpreted literally, as this decrease oscillates between 0.1% and 0.5%.
Thus, as far as Chinese companies are concerned, there has been no change. Just as the Communication of 12 June stated that individual duties are falling on 3 Chinese producers: BYD, Geely and SAIC. The value of these duties is as follows: BYD – 17.4% (no change here), Geely – 19.9% (a decrease of 0.1%) and SAIC – 37.6% (a decrease of 0.5%). Furthermore, another Chinese producers that cooperated in the Union investigation are only subject to a weighted average work rate of 20.8% (a decrease of 0.2%). In a worse situation, there are companies that have not accepted the cooperation proposal. The compensatory work rate is the same as for SAIC – 37.6% (a akin decrease here by 0.5%).
The press release was issued on 4 July, but, as already mentioned, provisional countervailing duties are in force from the day following, i.e. 5 July. Their duration is set at a maximum of 4 months. This time period was set for the EU countries to take definitive decisions. specified duties will in turn apply for 5 years.
The government in Beijing has reportedly reacted to the full situation, which is de facto understandably, as China clearly expressed its position a period earlier. erstwhile asked about this at its regular conference spokeswoman Chinese MFA Mao Ning replied as follows: “China has expressed strong opposition more than erstwhile to the EU investigation into subsidising Chinese electrical vehicles. We believe that circumstantial trade issues should be decently addressed through dialog and consultation." She besides suggested, not to mention explicitly, that Brussels should anticipate retaliation from Beijing: "China will besides take the essential measures to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests."
As you can see, the collision course is inactive at its best erstwhile it comes to EU-PRC relations. The Union is increasingly trying to become independent of China's economy, and all the European Commission's actions must so be read through policy. Ursula von der Leyen's re-election (about which later) only confirms that specified a course will be maintained and even deepened, which besides confirm Analysts from the Polish Institute of global Affairs Marcin Przychodniak and Piotr Dzierżanowski: "Re-introduction of the position of EC president by Ursula von der Leyen should mean the continuation of a strong policy towards the PRC, especially in industry".
8.07. Viktor Orb's Peace MissionáVisit to China and criticism in Europe
Visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Beijing, which took place 8 July, was, according to reports from Chinese media, the 3rd phase of his "peace mission". The aim of this initiative, as the Hungarian side states, was to make a diplomatic platform that could address the crisis caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Orbán and Xi Jinping spoke day before the launch of the NATO summit in Washington, where the US President, Joe Biden, hosted alliance leaders to discuss key issues and to gather further support for Ukraine's defence.
Orbán commended China as their “key function in creating the conditions for peace in the Russian-Ukrainian War”, which he considered as the reason for his gathering with Xi only 2 months after the Chinese leader's visit to Budapest, which can be read more about in the May edition ‘Review’. During the meeting, Orbán opposed the increasing threat concerns of Beijing in Europe and decided to rise the level of relations between Hungary and China. In Xi's consequence commended The improvement of Hungarian-Chinese relations and wished that Hungary would play an active function in promoting a "healthy and stable" improvement of relations between China and the Union during its Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The Orbán initiative coincided with Hungary's inclusion six-month Presidency in the Council of the EU. Before visiting China, after only 5 days as chairman, Orbán visited the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski, whom he asked to consider a ceasefire to accelerate peace talks. However, Zelenski rejected the proposal.
Orbán's next step was trip to MoscowWhere he met Russian president Vladimir Putin. This was the first EU leader gathering with Putin in Moscow since April 2022, which was only 2 months after the invasion of Ukraine began. Putin found talking to Orbán useful, but accused Ukraine of not wanting to end the ongoing war. The president of the Russian Federation reiterated his proposals to end the conflict, which had previously been rejected by the Ukrainian side. These conditions, i.e. the resignation of the aspirations of joining NATO and the dedication of 4 provinces, are unacceptable according to Kiev. Ukraine indicates its 10-point peace plan as the only realistic way to end the war.
The intention and form of this initiative raised concerns among EU leaders. Orbán has taken action despite the deficiency of support from the European Commission and Ukraine. His erstwhile opposition to western military aid to Kiev and close relations with Putin met with criticism, both in Hungary and throughout the EU. The Hungarian Government has long advocated an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations in the Ukraine conflict, but does not specify what specified actions could mean for Ukraine's territorial integrity and future security. Orbán, maintaining close relations with Moscow even after a full-scale invasion in February 2022, met with accusations, including from leaders Lithuania and Estonia, to undermine the Hungarian Presidency in the EU and to advance Budapest's interests at the expense of European unity. president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen cast Orbán attempts to appease the Russian leader. Zelenski said that Orbán could not acting The mediator, because, according to him, only planet powers can do this.
China is accused of close ties to Russia. The U.S. President's administration claims that China has been helping Russia to grow its defence manufacture on specified a scale that Moscow is presently undertaking the most ambitious expansion in the military production sector since the USSR. Chinese support includes crucial amounts of device tools, drone and turbojet engines, maneuvering rocket technology, microelectronics and nitrocellulose, which Russia uses to manufacture fuel for weapons. In addition, China promote Russia-supported six-point peace plan presented in May that year in Brazil. This plan calls for an global peace conference “in due time” and calls for equal participation of Ukraine and Russia.
10.07. China announces an investigation into EU duties
Waiting for a clearer consequence from Beijing did not last very long. On 10 July, the Ministry of Trade of the People's Republic of China issued message, from which it can be seen that "trade barriers and investment investigations will be carried out from this date onwards in relation to the applicable practices adopted in the investigation of the EU regulation on abroad subsidies".
As stated in the Communication, the Chinese investigation was initiated at the formal request made by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and afraid the import and export of machinery and electronic products. The Ministry further stated that it was mainly rail locomotives, photovoltaic cells, wind turbines and safety equipment. For the intent of this investigation, the Ministry of Trade of the PRC will usage appropriate questionnaires, hearings, checks and another methods which will be useful if information is obtained. A day later spokeswoman The He Yongqian Ministry, at a press conference on this issue, added that any method of investigation would be ‘legally’ and that the Ministry would ‘widely search opinions to guarantee that the investigation is fair, impartial, open and transparent’.
The duration of this investigation is foreseen by the Chinese until 10 January 2025, reserveing the anticipation of extending this time “under peculiar circumstances” for another 4 months, which is until 10 April 2025.
The exchange of punches is expected to happen more and more soon, as there is no indication that either organization intends to let go in this confrontation, especially the European Union, which, in line with the concept of "de-risking", will search to become increasingly independent of China and its economy. A good example of this approach in a non-confronted way is the EU's commitment to dredging economical relations with ASEAN.
10.07. German technological independency and 5G network
On 10 July, the German Ministry of the Interior announced that for safety reasons Germany would retreat the components of Chinese telecommunication giants Huawei and ZTE from their 5G networks. The Ministry justifies this decision to prevent possible threats specified as the usage of infrastructure for espionage or sabotage in the event of a conflict. 5G networks are part of critical infrastructure and have Key importance for many sectors of the German economy, specified as health, transport and energy. The decision was made after negotiations with companies operating German 5G networks specified as Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telecommunications.
The plan to retreat Chinese components assumes the task in 2 stages. Minister for the Interior Nancy Faeser announced that the first phase would last until the end of 2026 and its aim is to destruct the components produced by Huawei from the delicate infrastructure of the core network. Second stage assumes the removal of components from the radio access network, including antenna masts, transmission lines and towers. Their exchange is planned until the end of 2029.
In consequence to the actions of Germany, the Chinese side statedthat Berlin should not be guided by the choice of 5G technology providers from a political perspective. A spokesperson for Chinese MFA Lin Jian stated that politicising economic, commercial and technological issues would in future lead to distortions in German-Chinese cooperation. He besides added that Chinese companies specified as Huawei have been operating in Europe for many years, contributing to the construction of telecommunications infrastructure, occupation creation and taxation. He stressed that there was no evidence that these companies were threatening national security.
Germany accounts for almost a 4th of mobile telephone customers in the EU. The country is heavy dependent on the Chinese marketplace and despite the European Commission's recommendations He waited with decisive steps towards Chinese companies. interior marketplace Commissioner Thierry Breton criticised EU countries for imposing besides slow restrictions on high-risk suppliers. Currently specified countries as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have introduced bans on Huawei and ZTE components. In contrast, the USA reduced the availability of Huawei products as early as 2019. In July 2023 Germany adopted new strategy to China, which assumes technological independency and hazard reduction. Investigations conducted by Strand Consult consulting company in 2022 indicate that Chinese components accounted for 59% of German 5G infrastructure.
15.07. EU associate States and the issue of customs duties on Chinese electrical vehicles
By 15 July 2024, the associate States of the European Union were obliged to express their voice on EU duties on electrical vehicles from China. According to the European Commission, the 27-member vote is secret and the results will not be disclosed. Moreover, the vote itself is not binding, but it is simply an advisory presentation of the views of EU countries. However, it must be added that the vote alone may have any effect on the final decision of the European Commission on tariffs.
However, Reuters showed, based on government sources of associate States, that Europe stands on this issue split. The 27 voting members of the 12 voted in favour of duties, while 4 were against, and 11 of them chose the option of ‘holding back’. France, Italy and Spain have been listed by the countries which have said yes to the EU tariffs for Reuters. Germany, Finland and Sweden, in turn, have decided that they are not defined.
German decision-makers They have already announced a fewer days earlier that they intend to abstain in this vote, calling it "critical solidarity" with the European Commission, which can be understood as a simultaneous expression of support and opposition. Finland However, she expressed her decision to abstain 1 day later through the embassy of the country to the European Union, stressing her concerns about this: "Finland inactive has doubts, especially as to the general interest of the Union, knowing that not all European car manufacturers believe that it is in their interest to act".
This clearly shows that the Union is incapable to make consistency in the issue of tariffs on Chinese electrical cars, which is simply a mediocre indication of the EU as a whole. However, these are the principles of democracy – 1 of the pillars of the European integration project. Therefore, the main nonsubjective of EU decision-makers should be to constantly look for the anticipation of an interior agreement that will translate into a stronger global position for the European Union as a whole.
18.07. Ursula von der Leyen hits Beijing's delicate point
July 18 was the day Ursula von der Leyen twice took the position of the president of the European Commission. It was elected by the European Parliament with 401 votes to 284 against and 22 votes empty or invalid. Von der Leyen's triumph is not amazing in itself. And it will be equally predictable for her approach to China for the next 5 years. This situation can be described as a ‘continuation of the collision course’.
In his 30-page manifesto entitled "WedEurope’s workforce” (Europe’s Choice) The president of the European Commission addresses flagship issues for the European Union, specified as safety in connection with the war in Ukraine or the green economical transformation, but due to the strained relations on the Brussels-Pekin line, China’s problem has not been overlooked.
Von der Leyen, writing about China, raised 2 issues. The first was to reduce Europe's dependence on the Chinese economy – the celebrated de-risking policy: "We saw firsthand the dangers arising from dependence or decaying supply chains – from medical products during the pandemic to Putin's energy blackmail or China's monopoly on natural materials essential for the production of batteries or chips." Although this may be considered a foretaste, as the second issue is simply a much more delicate point for the Chinese. Von der Leyen lists Indo-Pacific as 1 of the regions with which the Union should cooperate and deepen relations. However, China was to be struck by the fact that the Union, together with regional allies specified as Japan, Australia and fresh Zealand, should make efforts to address the challenges posed by the PRC, and most importantly, the EU and its allies should not let Taiwan to be taken over by China: "We will besides cooperate with Japan, Korea, fresh Zealand and Australia, with which we face common challenges in cyberspace, space and safe supply of key minerals and technologies. This includes our joint efforts to exploit the full scope of our combined state capacity to prevent China from unilaterally changing status quo by military means, in peculiar Taiwan’. Von der Leyen is besides 1 of the worrying issues of the deepening alliance between Russia and China, in the form of a "cross-border friendship" and the corresponding increases in the reinforcement spending of both countries, which repeatedly outweighs EU spending: "To put this in perspective, the full EU defence spending from 1999 to 2021 increased by 20%. Meanwhile, Russia's defence spending increased by almost 300% and China by almost 600%". In the last sentence, a comment was added to this issue, which clearly suggests the direction Von der Leyen wants to lead the EU for the next 5 years: "We must change this".
The references to China and Taiwan were not unnoticed. Both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan) expressed their views on the subject. A critical vote against the political guidelines presented by Von der Leyen to the European Commission Wang Lutong, manager General of European Affairs at the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the PRC. He stated that they constitute ‘interference in the interior affairs of China’. He continued to usage the phrase "playing with fire on Taiwan is very dangerous", which could be considered a threat or a very strong suggestion. At the very end of his entry, he shared the advice that "interpreting and even trying to join forces is not the right choice for Europe." In more balanced words, “Global Times“ Cui Hongjian (Beijing abroad Studies University) commented. He stated that Von der Leyen's position was not changed and was inactive "hard" towards China. He besides noted that "out of her political proposal we can conclude that she is inactive putting more emphasis on competition and confrontation with China than on cooperation." Additionally, according to Zhao Junjie (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), the dynamics of Chinese-European relations is influenced (in a negative guess) by the United States. The full situation is different from Taiwan. In his entry on the X portal, the president of the Republic of China Lai Ching-te congratulated Von der Leyen on his re-election, appreciated his desire to keep peace in the Taiwan Strait and expressed his hopes for strengthening Taiwan-EU relations which are "built on our common commitment to human rights and democracy."
The collision course has been maintained, and there is no visible change on the horizon. Customs duties on electrical vehicles, addressing Taiwan, the Chinese-Russian alliance – it is expected that the situation will proceed to escalate due to the fact that it is doubtful that 1 of the parties should compromise its own accounts.
23.07. Estonia wants negotiations, not confrontation
Estonian public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling, in ERR, published on his website Article, whose title in the translation into Polish is: "Estonia prefers to negociate than duties on electrical vehicles produced in China". The text is based on an interview with the Head of abroad Trade Policy Department and global economical Organisations of the Ministry of abroad Affairs of Estonia Triinu Prits. The conversation dealt with the issue of EU tariffs on Chinese electrical vehicles.
According to Prits, ‘there is simply a real hazard that the production of electrical vehicles in the EU will fall due to unfair support from China’ and ‘in the worst case case, European production may neglect from the current improvement phases to mass production’. Importantly, Prits stated that Estonia does not question the uncovering of the European Commission's investigation, but that the question of the imposition of tariffs on China is different, saying that this is not necessarily a ‘optimal solution’. In her view, the European Union should search an agreement with Beijing, alternatively than deepening the conflict, because, as she noted, "unilateral safeguard measures may besides harm the interests of our own companies and consumers". She added: “It is besides very crucial to start negotiations with China, and we should wait for the result of these talks to proceed with the economical impact assessment. Cooperation with EU car manufacturers is peculiarly important." She besides stressed Estonia's neutrality in the associate States' vote on tariffs, as did Germany, which she did not neglect to mention, citing akin interior circumstances: "We besides have subcontractors, importers, car maintenance service providers and consumers". Prits' reflection on EU tariffs ended with the thought that extremes in solutions "rarely erstwhile they are real solutions".
The words of Triinu Prits should not be taken as prognostic, as this would be a perversion. The better wording would be "conciliation approach" – it is clear that Estonia besides has its interests in maintaining a affirmative relation with China and does not belong to the EU hawk club or to cautiously attitude towards China. Nevertheless, Estonia's statements were not unnoticed by Chinese media.
Press Agency Xinhua It utilized the ERR article and extracted most of the Prits words that afraid the desire to scope an agreement. However, looking at this text, it can be seen that Xinhua has decided not to add to its entry the first words of Prits talking about the risks to the European marketplace that Chinese subsidies carry. Xinhua started its article by stating that Estonia does not uncertainty the appropriateness of the EU investigation and that the imposition of tariffs is not 1 of the best solutions. This shows that the Chinese propaganda tube has utilized Estonia's concordivity for its own communicative against the European Commission, thereby demonstrating a deficiency of agreement in the policies of the European Commission and EU associate States.
28.07. Meloni in China
A long-awaited visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to China yet went beyond the announcement zone. Meloni visited Beijing from 28 to 31 July this year. The journey to the People's Republic of China is the culmination of the Italian-Chinese relations reset process since the country's departure from the Chinese Belt and way Initiative in 2023. The reset has been discussed for a long time – this is confirmed by the April Italian-Chinese economical event, which we wrote about a fewer months ago in the Review. The Italian leader herself, speaking of her visit to the mediate State, saidthat this is simply a "demonstration of the will to start a fresh stage, to restart our bilateral cooperation".
At the very beginning, as aperitivo The Chinese served Meloni a conversation with the Prime Minister of the PRC before the main event with president Xi Jinping. Li Qiang. During the exchange of views, many words were said about fruitful cooperation between the 2 countries, especially from the 20th anniversary of the conclusion of the Comprehensive strategical Partnership Agreement. In addition, the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death – a medieval traveler and a link between Italy and China were highlighted. Both parties confirmed that the event was a good chance to deepen bilateral relations in different fields. Marco Polo's subject was besides raised on July 29 during speeches The Italian Prime Minister, which she gave as part of the inauguration of the exhibition entitled “A Journey of Knowledge. Travels Marco Polo and his legacy between East and West” in the Beijing planet Art Museum. Moreover, she and her Chinese counterpart Meloni participated in the Italian-Chinese Business Forum, which took place in Beijing. There, too. spoke at the start of the full event, which was attended by more than 100 Italian and Chinese companies and trade associations. Fruit the talks with the Chinese Prime Minister are signed "A roadmap for strengthening China-Italy's comprehensive strategical partnership (2024-127)". As Meloni herself admitted, it is to be “experimentation with fresh forms of cooperation".
On July 29, talks took place between Meloni and Xi. According to the authoritative message Italy's government has reiterated the improvement of cooperation "in the context of the 20th anniversary of the Global strategical Partnership", which highlighted the importance of "balanced cooperation beneficial to both parties based on common trust". akin accents were highlighted in Communication issued by the Chinese government. Xi emphasized the importance of the ancient Silk Road, which erstwhile linked China to Europe, thus with Italy. "China and Italy should keep and advance the spirit of the Silk Road" could be considered a Chinese incentive to return Italy to the bosom of the fresh Silk Road. Nevertheless, the most crucial topics of the talks should be the problems of the global war in Ukraine, the escalation of tensions in the mediate East and the Indo-Pacific – the Italian Communication defined this as a transition by interlocutors "to discuss the priorities of the global agenda". In addressing these topics, the Italian head of government called the People's Republic of China "a very crucial chat partner“ in addressing global problems: “There is expanding uncertainty in the global arena and I believe that China is inevitably a very crucial partner to discuss all these issues.” This is simply a bow to Xi on the issue of the war in Ukraine. European leaders have repeatedly tried to convince China's leader that its function in this substance is crucial – above all, we are talking about the anticipation of force on Vladimir Putin to end military action in Ukraine.
For its part, China's leader stressed that the common benefits of common relations can only be achieved through "maintaining openness and cooperation in global industrial and supply chains". He pointed out that the most crucial improvement for China is peace-based and that its country "was never seeking hegemony". He besides expressed his hopes that the Italians "understand and support the Chinese doctrine of development", so that Italy could play a affirmative function in stabilising the European Union's relations with China. The Chinese Communication besides states (which was not included in Italian) that Meloni confirms the country's adherence to the policy of "one China" and that Italy is opposed to "decoupling", i.e. the economical separation of Europe with China. Furthermore, they do not support protectionism and express their willingness to improve relations on the Brussels-Pekin line.
Many inaccuracies can be found in these words, specified as the rejection of protectionism, while Italy supports the imposition of sanctions on Chinese electrical vehicles. As outlined earlier, the Italians identified themselves as those who would support the European Commission's proposal to impose these tariffs. On the another hand, Meloni knows that it is impossible to go to a complete war with China, which is why he is trying to look for opportunities for cooperation or "new start". This start would be beneficial primarily for Italian companies China and attract Chinese investors to Italy: “At present, Italian investments in China are about 3 times larger than Chinese investments in Italy. [...] We want to work clearly to remove obstacles to our products in accessing the Chinese market." Individual EU countries will search to reduce the restrictive approach of the Union by their own actions, while expressing more or little clear support for this approach, which could be said to be "European duality" to characterise EU-Chinese relations over the coming years.
31.07. Germany accuses China of a 2021 cyber attack
31 July Germany has informed the public that they are accusing the People's Republic of China of cyber attack, which took place in late 2021 at the national Office of Cartography and Geodesy (BKG). The German government condemned the incidental in "the strongest possible way." According to a communication issued by the national Ministry of the Interior and the Community, ‘Chinese cybercriminals entered the BKG network for spy purposes’. The importance of this hacker attack is important, as for the German authorities, this office "has an crucial function for a large number of government and private sector institutions, including critical infrastructure", and it is the awareness of the contact with critical infrastructure that is the biggest outrage in this situation.
Nancy Faeser, German Minister of the Interior, besides spoke in the aforementioned statement. In her opinion, "this serious cyber attack on national authorities shows how dangerous Chinese cyberattacks and espionage are" condemning this criminal act. In later words, she called on the Chinese government to halt this activity and to vote against it. She besides added that "these cyber attacks endanger the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe". At this point, it is worth recalling fresh spy scandals not only in Germany, where a full of 4 people charged with espionage were detained for the benefit of the PRC, but besides in another European countries, specified as the UK, the Netherlands and Sweden (we wrote more about this in April the “Review”) edition. The words of the German minister are besides confirmed by the spokesperson of the German Ministry of abroad Affairs Sebastian Fischerwho claims that the government of his country has "reliable information from our intelligence services" in connection with the BKG attack. He further defined the intent of this attack, saying that it was carried out "for spy purposes".
The Beijing consequence came on the same day through the Chinese embassy in Berlin. In the first words statements It can be read that China powerfully rejects German accusations of cyber-spying, calling them ‘unwarranted’. It was found that Germany's throwing specified accusations contributes to the creation of blockage and thus to the "camp confrontation". This in turn "will undermine the unity of the global community in responding to cybersecurity threats". The Chinese expressed their strong opposition to "tampering cybersecurity issues and making known the alleged cyber threats associated with China", adding that they call on the RFN to halt "using cybersecurity issues to engage in anti-Chinese political manipulation and slander public opinion". At the very end of the statement, it has been shown that as did Germany, China is besides the victim of cyber attacks. It was besides stressed that Beijing clearly opposes specified actions and takes appropriate steps to counter the hackers who hit Chinese infrastructure.
