Germany seeks role in shaping Indo-Pacific order: foreign minister

Maas outlines complex relationship with China as both partner and rival

"More than anywhere else, the shape of tomorrow's international order will be decided in the Indo-Pacific," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Nikkei. © Pool via Reuters

HIROFUMI TAKEUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

January 30, 2021 01:48 JST

TOKYO -- Germany aims to become a player in the Indo-Pacific and further its interests in a region set to only grow in geopolitical significance, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Nikkei.

Germany has been shifting its stance to the region, approving new Indo-Pacific policy guidelines in September that move away from its previous China-centric approach, and plans to dispatch a naval frigate to the region as early as this summer.