Dialogue China Press Release
Wang Dan Meets with Mr. Roth, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag
On May 11, 2023 in Berlin, Wang Dan, director of the Dialogue China think tank, and his assistants held a formal meeting with Mike Rotter, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the German Bundestag. Mr. Roth is a senior politician of Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) and previously served as Germany’s Minister of State for Europe.
During the meeting, Wang Dan expressed his appreciation for Mr. Roth’s recent speech on China. Wang Dan pointed out that the CCP has undergone fundamental shifts since Xi Jinping came to power. The CCP’s ambitions for Taiwan are a serious challenge to the global civilized order. If European countries fail to maintain vigilance, there may be hefty prices in the future. Wang Dan suggested that Germany and other European countries should deepen their understanding of China, and Dialogue China is willing to act as a bridge to help Western countries listen to the opinions and suggestions of Chinese people (especially new middle-class immigrants) who oppose authoritarianism and aspire to democracy in China. Furthermore, Wang Dan called on Germany and other European countries to publicly express their support for China’s democratization and strengthen their ties with China’s democratic movement.
Mr. Roth first expressed his admiration for Wang Dan’s efforts to promote democracy for the past 30 years. He pointed out that the relationship between Europe and China is at a turning point, and EU countries need a comprehensive, unified strategy and voice to avoid being divided and conquered by the CCP. He said, ‘we do not want to guide your work, but we hope you will help us understand China. We want those Chinese who are fighting for democracy to know, we support you.’ Mr. Roth suggested that Wang Dan should maintain exposure to the German media so that the German people hear the voices of Chinese democrats, and was willing to assist this.
Dialogue China will maintain regular and close contact with Mr. Roth and his colleagues in the future, and look forward to further cooperation.
Dialogue China
11/5/2023