In view of new tensions between China and Taiwan, German foreign politicians have warned of an escalation in the conflict. The pressure is currently growing because a change of strategy could be imminent at the party conference of the Chinese Communist Party in autumn, said FDP parliamentary group leader Alexander Graf Lambsdorff of the "Rheinische Post" on Monday.
"Should Chinese President Xi Jinping contemplate an attack on Taiwan, the US would have to decide whether to intervene or not," Lambsdorff said. "If there were an attack, it would have catastrophic consequences, including for our economy."
The CDU foreign politician Roderich Kiesewetter told the newspaper: He fears that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could come much earlier than previously assumed. China is already looking very closely at how the West is dealing with Russia. "The Chinese leadership could see a strategic advantage in an earlier attack because the West is currently tying up many capacities in the Russia conflict."
The communist leadership in Beijing regards free Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and wants to isolate it internationally. On the other hand, the island republic of 23 million people has long considered itself independent. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fears of a conquest by China have been growing. The United States has committed itself to Taiwan's ability to defend itself - which has so far primarily meant arms deliveries.
Speculations about a possible trip to Taiwan by the head of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, have recently exacerbated tensions. Apparently as a warning to Washington, China's military held live ammunition drills near Taiwan on Saturday.
Pelosi arrived in Singapore on Monday morning and plans to visit Malaysia, South Korea and Japan on her Asia trip. If Pelosi decides to visit Taiwan, she would be the highest-ranking US president to visit Taiwan since 1997. At that time, Republican Newt Gingrich traveled to the island state in his capacity as Chairman of the House of Representatives.
Lambsdorff pointed out the economic position of Taiwan. According to the FDP politician, one third of the world's semiconductor production comes from Taiwan. "In our country, almost all supply chains in industry would be affected, and many technical products could no longer be manufactured. From the washing machine to the plane.” He added: “It is in our best interest that there is no parallel conflict between Russia and Ukraine and between China and Taiwan.”
Semiconductors can be found almost everywhere today, for example in smartphones, computers, cars or medical devices. A shortage had led to price increases and supply chain problems in many industries during the corona pandemic. Large manufacturing capacities are located in Taiwan in particular.
In the United States, Congress recently passed a comprehensive bill to encourage domestic semiconductor manufacturing. It is also about reducing dependence on chip production in Asia. In view of the tensions with China, US politicians are concerned about security of supply.
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