Today the House of Representatives is evaluating Chinese policy. The relationship between the Netherlands and China is of great importance to the government. Especially since China is the second largest economy in the world and by no means a minor player in global trade and politics. Although tensions between the countries – also due to the Taiwan question – have increased, independent parliamentarian Nilüfer Gündogan does not expect major problems.
This is partly because expected economic growth has not materialised, he tells political journalist Leendert Beekman. “Indeed, people are expecting a double decline in China,” Gundogan says. ‘It is also a positive development for Europe that large reserves of phosphate and crucial metals have been found in Norway.’
“I think we can consistently separate our interests from China”
And with that, China is being “disrespected as little as possible,” says Gündogan. He believes that the Netherlands already has its hands full with Ukraine and Russia and that there really isn’t room for another complicated geopolitical dossier. “I think we can steadily shift our interests away from China and move towards Norway and Africa.”
recession
He thinks that problems with China will only arise if the Chinese economy enters a recession. “We could suffer economically. Politically, I see China less and less as a problem.’
But, if Gündogan is realistic, China will be somewhat upset. It deems it impossible to prevent this on all files. “Then you give too much to China, so it has to be tempered,” he says. ‘In crucial areas, such as chip machines, I fully support the choice the Netherlands has made. But let’s try not to be too restrictive in areas where we don’t have to.’
However, Gundogan favors a phasing out of relations with China where possible. Only in essential areas does he feel the relationship should be maintained. “And where it is impossible to work well with China, we should say ‘this far and no further’.”
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
