Germany’s new strategy for dealings with China

Three years ago, Angela Merkel, then Germany’s chancellor, said it was important to have a “relationship of trust” with China. On July 13th the government that succeeded her published a long-awaited paper laying out how it plans to handle those ties. It did not echo Mrs Merkel’s belief. “China has changed,” it said, adding: “As a result of this and China’s political decisions, we need to change our approach to China.” Governments across Europe have long been saying much the same. But for Germany to set out a detailed case for China-scepticism was striking.