Taiwan Minister Tsung-Tsong Wu shakes fingers with German Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger on the foyer of National Science and Technology Council, in Taipei, Taiwan (Image: Reuters)
Bettina Stark-Watzinger signed the Science and Technology Agreement with Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The transfer will draw Beijing’s criticism
Germany’s schooling minister on Tuesday inked a technological cooperation cope with Taiwan, kicking off the primary cabinet-level German go to to the island in 26 years.
Bettina Stark-Watzinger signed the Science and Technology Agreement with Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) on the primary day of a visit that’s doubtless to draw criticism from China.
Beijing views the self-ruled democratic island as its territory, to be taken in the future — by drive if mandatory. China routinely opposes official exchanges between Taiwan and its worldwide companions.
It has ratcheted up army, diplomatic and financial stress in response to a flurry of visits by politicians from the United States, Europe and elsewhere to Taiwan.
At the signing ceremony in Taipei, Stark-Watzinger stated “it’s a nice pleasure and honour” for her to be the first German government minister to visit in more than two decades.
“This arrangement stands for enhancing cooperation on the basis of democratic values, transparency, openness, reciprocity and scientific freedom,” she stated.
Her journey comes two months after a high-ranking German parliamentary delegation travelled to Taiwan, a transfer that was strongly criticised by Beijing.
Stark-Watzinger declined to remark when requested about reported Chinese opposition to the go to.
Germany’s overseas ministry final week reaffirmed its dedication to a “one China” policy, wherein it has formal bilateral ties with Beijing, but also maintains “close and good ties with Taiwan”.
Wu Tsung-tsong, head of the NSTC, stated the journey was a part of “regular” exchanges.
The agreement covers joint research in several fields, Wu said, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
According to media reports, Taiwanese tech giant TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is currently in talks to build its first European plant in Germany.
In December, the company said that there was “no concrete plan” for organising amenities in Germany.
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