Asia

German officers are expected to be deployed with the Australian Navy and a German frigate will patrol the Indian Ocean under Berlin's plan to manage China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the German Defence Minister, said the Indo-Pacific had become crucial to the world’s well-being. "We believe that Germany needs to mark its position in the region," she said in an exclusive interview.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, popularly known by her initials AKK, said that Europe had become increasingly aware of China's economic agenda and geopolitical tactics in the past year.

"China is an important trading partner for Germany and we have strong economic ties which are in the interest of both sides," she said.

"At the same time, we do not turn a blind eye on unequal investment conditions, aggressive appropriation of intellectual property, state-subsidised distortion of competition or attempts to exert influence by means of loans and investments."...MORE