Germany’s Free Democratic Party turns the heat on China, says no longer bound by One China Policy

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As the German electoral and political scene heats up, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has announced its support for island nation Taiwan. <a href="https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/05/19/2003757661"><em>Taipei Times</em></a> reported on Wednesday that the FDP supports bringing Taiwan into the international mainstream and criticises China’s consistent tirade against the nation.</p>
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Significantly, the Germany political party has also removed the One China Policy (OCP), from its campaign platform and has declared support for the right of the Taiwanese people to decide their own future.<br />
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The FDP was founded in 1948 by members of former liberal political parties which existed in Germany before World War II. Since the 1980s, the party has been an advocate of economic liberalism, promoting free markets and privatization. it has generally aligned to the centre or centre-right of the political spectrum.<br />
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If the non-recognition of the OCP catches the fancy of other international organisations, it could merit a big blow to the communist country and lead to more formal recognition of Taiwan as an independent entity.<br />
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The newspaper reports that during the party’s national congress, a coalition of FDP members voiced removing the term “one China” policy as this gives legitimacy to Chinese leaders "to suppress Beijing’s opponents in Hong Kong, eliminate ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and occupy Taiwan by force." The proposal was approved by the members of the party.<br />
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The German party also appealed to the European Union to expand engagement with Taiwan. It also supports Taiwan’s inclusion in international organisations that do not require statehood for participation with a view to building up recognition for Taiwan.<br />
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Comparing Taiwan with China, FDP endorsed Taiwan’s democracy and freedom over China’s dictatorship. It has often called on the German parliament to support Taiwan’s participation in the international fora.<br />
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FDP also criticised China’s frequent intimidation of Taiwan and stressed upon collaborating with European countries and democracies like Australia, Japan, India and the US, to devise strategies to counter Chinese aggression.<br />
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Separately, in an important signal, it has decided to shift FDP-linked Friedrich Naumann Foundation's Global Innovation Hub to Taiwanese capital Taipei from Hong Kong this year.<br />
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This year, Germany goes to polls in September, marking an end to Angela Merkel's historic rule as one of the longest-serving Chancellors of Germany.</p>