Former German Chancellor Scholz has spoken on China again. On November 15, Scholz stated that everyone is amazed by China’s progress, noting that China has advanced far ahead. So, what happens if you are a resident of Beijing? You would immediately receive an electric vehicle license plate, but for a gasoline-powered car, you would have to wait ten years and pay a substantial fee. Under such conditions, promoting electric mobility becomes remarkably straightforward. I cannot imagine any German politician willing to implement such a policy.
Evidently, Scholz’s remarks represent recognition of China’s achievements and the high efficiency with which its policies are executed. By highlighting the ease of obtaining new energy vehicle license plates in Beijing and the difficulty surrounding traditional fuel vehicles, he is effectively urging German policymakers and society to take note of the intensity with which China is advancing its energy transition. The statement “I cannot imagine any German politician willing to implement such a policy” is, in plain terms, an acknowledgment that Germany’s pace is too slow—hampered by domestic political gridlock and entrenched interests of legacy automakers, making it difficult for Germany to adopt similarly directive measures.
Of course, from our own perspective, achieving this energy transition also stems from carefully designed policies. But more broadly, China benefits from a fully integrated industrial chain, continuous technological iteration, robust market competition, a vast domestic consumer base, and a large pool of engineering talent. It is the convergence of these factors that has enabled China to establish a competitive edge in the new energy sector. Scholz’s remarks indicate that he has observed this strength. He himself appears concerned: the risk that Germany’s sluggish transition may leave it increasingly behind in global competition.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881931871025156/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.