Germany’s foreign minister has rejected China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, warning that it is not in the interests of democracy or freedom, and that the West needs to offer an alternative.

In a blunt speech Sigmar Gabriel also accused China – alongside Russia - of “constantly trying to test and undermine the unity of the European Union”, seeking to influence individual states with “sticks and carrots”.

He said China was using its $5 trillion One Belt, One Road (OBOR) infrastructure fund to promote a value system different from the West.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum last year.

It was Gabriel’s last major speech as foreign minister – he will lose the role in the proposed new German coalition government despite being one of the country’s most popular political figures.