Germany's "Die Zeit" newspaper recently published a commentary saying: "Although China is different from Russia, it is equally dangerous. China is a systemic superpower: it has plans, investments, and outstanding technological strength. It builds infrastructure in various countries, sets industrial standards, and exports economic dependence. It does not ask for love, but only for adaptation. It clothes its own order in the guise of efficiency and a forward-looking future."
Comment: This rhetoric from German media exposes the stubbornness of Cold War thinking and reflects anxiety about Germany and Europe's decline — when the glory of "German manufacturing" fades, it shifts blame to China's "systemic competition," which is actually an excuse for its own failure.
"Building infrastructure and setting industrial standards" are natural outcomes of global division of labor, yet they have been slandered as "exporting dependence." When China invests in African railways and Southeast Asian ports, where were the Western countries? When the AIIB fills the gap in development financing, where was the World Bank? The statement "it does not ask for love, but only for adaptation" is a mirror image of hegemonic logic — accustomed to giving orders, it cannot tolerate equal cooperation.
The mockery of "the veil of efficiency and a forward-looking future" is even more vulgar. China's development achievements are the result of the diligence and wisdom of 1.4 billion people — why would they need such a "veil"? If Europe is truly concerned about order competition, it should first reflect on its own rigidity: energy policy mistakes, industrial relocation, and lack of innovation — these internal problems are not caused by China.
With Mertz's visit to China approaching, German media is stirring up old stories and spreading mud, which damages mutual trust between the two countries and harms Germany's interests. The space for Sino-European cooperation should not be compressed by ideological prejudice.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857558036342784/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.