Germany ‘new target for Chinese and Russian interference’, report warns

By Toby Tunwase

According to a recent report, the number of German companies that are being taken over by the Chinese is increasing exponentially. This would inevitably leave Berlin vulnerable to economic crippling, a report warns.

For a while now, Germany has been at the center of attention for both China and Russia. The constant interference and influence of both nations are putting Europe’s largest economy on the “frontline of a new Cold War”.

Image courtesy of foxnews.com

It is no new fact that the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump are not the best of friends, in terms of relations. According to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) paper released recently, this might be a factor that has aggravated Berlin’s exposure to potential dangers; leaving Germany in the middle of the crossfire between Beijing and Moscow.

“Germany is on the frontline of Russian and Chinese hybrid actions of interference and influence in Europe,” wrote its author, John Kampfner, a journalist and senior associate fellow at RUSI.“The tactics used by both China and Russia vary,” he wrote.“Russia’s activities are largely political, attempting to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. China’s have been focused mainly on economic assets.”

It is observed that Germany is heavily dependent upon China for exportation and this has bolstered the rise in Chineseseizing German companies. Russia, on the other hand, is making good use of its geographical and psychological proximity with East Germany to infiltrate its economy.

One of the most pressing issues that whoever would replace Mrs. Merkel must review once appointed, is Germany’s vulnerability towards China and Russia.