section_path: Ideology and platform/Foreign policy/Asia
section_name: Asia
paragraph_text: Asia
  
  AfD views on China have varied. The party had previously demanded the German government to strip the "developing country" status for China, voicing opposition to "Chinese economic espionage" and opposing Chinese state-owned company COSCO Shipping buying of a stake in the Port of Hamburg.
  
  However, it started changing its position in 2023, with AfD's Bundestag caucus accusing foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and economic affairs minister Robert Habeck of launching an "economic war" against China. AfD has also criticized restrictions on the use of 5G material from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. AfD leader Tino Chrupalla has also voiced opposition to restrictions on Chinese technology and backed Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang on his peace-brokering efforts for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
  
  AfD currently calls for closer economic, cultural and scientific relations with China. Nevertheless, in their manifesto for the 2025 federal election, AfD has also called for limits in the involvement of Chinese companies in Germany's seaports and digital infrastructure. It is also opposed to further development aid, including those that would benefit climate change programs or Chinese students in Germany.