Burbock says China is trying to ‘change the rules’ in Asia

Beijing is allegedly trying to change the “current rules” in the Asia-Pacific region (APR). This was stated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock at a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries in the Karuizawa resort in Japan. Her words lead Welt.

“In the region, many of our partners are already closely confronting how China increasingly wants to replace the current general binding rules with its own. Reinforcing this with assertions that there are no rules, although they themselves ratified these treaties,” Burbock said.

As an example, the German Foreign Minister cited China’s aiming of a military laser at a patrol boat from the Philippines in February, as well as the creation of bulk artificial islands by Beijing.

Annalena Burbock added that because of the actions of the Chinese side, the West needs to help its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our partners should count on us. This applies in particular to the Indo-Pacific region – one or even almost the most important region in which the future shape of the international order in the 21st century will be decided,” Burbock concluded.

For decades, Beijing has been arguing with several Asia-Pacific states over the territorial ownership of a number of islands in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines are involved to varying degrees in this dispute.

Earlier it was reported that the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded harshly to Burbock’s words about Taiwan.