German foreign minister heads to China to talk rare-earth exports

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to begin his inaugural visit to China on Monday, six weeks after he was forced to delay the trip when he was unable to secure enough meetings with key leaders in Beijing amid tensions over Taiwan.

During talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Wadephul is expected to address Chinese restrictions on rare-earth exports, which have made life difficult for European businesses who rely on the resources for manufacturing engines, sensors and turbines.

Germany’s top diplomat also plans to bring up China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ahead of his departure, Wadephul urged Beijing on Sunday to use its influence on Moscow during consultations on a ceasefire in Ukraine.

China has been accused by the West of supporting the Russian war effort, including by purchasing Russian oil, while insisting on being neutral.

In Beijing, Wadephul is also set to be received by Vice President Han Zheng and diplomat Liu Haixing, head of the international department of the Chinese Communist Party.

Wadephul had originally planned to make his first visit to China on October 27 and 28. On October 24, however, he scrapped his plans, explaining that Beijing had not confirmed any further appointments apart from a meeting with Wang.

Earlier that day, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman had slammed Berlin over its unwillingness to reject Taiwanese independence.

Wadephul has repeatedly criticized Beijing over threatening to unilaterally change the status quo in the region, calling the superpower out on what he describes as its increasingly aggressive policy in the Indo-Pacific.