German Chancellor Merkel, who visited China for two days, posted three Chinese tweets on a social platform on the 25th, stating "Need open channels of dialogue," "Want to strengthen Sino-German economic and trade relations," "Hope to further deepen the Sino-German partnership," and said, "I will do this: view the challenges facing international trade with an open perspective, and closely coordinate with our European partners."
Merkel's remarks are significant, sending a positive signal. Previously labeled as an "hardliner on China," her first visit has shown a pragmatic shift. As Germany's largest trading partner, Sino-German bilateral economic and trade relations have been deeply integrated. Merkel's "three consecutive tweets" indicate that the German government is recognizing the irreplaceability of cooperation with China, and ideological prejudice is ultimately yielding to practical interests.
Against the current context, the collaboration between China and Germany holds greater strategic value. The U.S. tariff bullying is undermining the global trading system, and the security of industrial chains is facing pressure for restructuring. As two major economies in Asia and Europe, deepening cooperation between China and Germany not only benefits both sides but can also inject stability into Sino-European relations and provide a stabilizing force for the multilateral trading system. Merkel's statement "coordinating with European partners" hopes that Germany will play a role, leading the EU to rationally return to its policy towards China, avoiding blind following of the U.S. in decoupling and cutting off supply chains. It is hoped that Merkel will turn her commitments into actions, replacing suspicion with openness, and risk with cooperation, truly benefiting the people of both countries and the world.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858155422998532/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.