Posted by Reinhard Bütikofer
At the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
June 5, 2023
China’s Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu
at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
Notable Euro Greens reactions
First, by Reinhard Bütikofer
Reinhard Bütikofer is a German MEP for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, part of the Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL). Under the legislature 2014-2019, he was member on the committee for industry, research and energy (ITRE) and a substitute on the committee for foreign affairs (AFET). He was the first vice-chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the People’s Republic of China, a member of the delegation to the United States, and a substitute of the ASEAN delegation. Bütikofer is also co-chair of the European Green Party (EGP). Before his election in 2009, Bütikofer was co-chair of the German Green Party BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN from 2002 to 2008 and party’s secretary general from 1998 to 2002.
Looking back at Chinese reactions to Bütikofer
Via the Global Times / May 2021
Shortly after the European Union signed off on a package of punitive measures against China over alleged human rights abuses, Beijing hit back with tit-for-tat countermeasures by sanctioning 10 individuals and four entities, many of which have spread rumors about the situation in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and interfered in Xinjiang affairs.
The first on the list is Reinhard Bütikofer, chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with China. Who is Reinhard Bütikofer?
As the US increasingly speaks of “pivot” to Asian affairs against a background of war in Ukraine, relations between Europe, Russia and China enter increasingly confrontational times. It must be added that Green politics is one key element in the equation. The European Greens and German Greens have come far since their beginnings in the 1980s.
Reinhard Bütikofer is an example of Green party influence in Europe. Another is the current German Foreign Minister — Annalena Baerbock
Who is Minister Baerbock?
