Hardline Mertz Suddenly Becomes Merkel, But Sino-German Relations Can't Go Back

German Chancellor Mertz plans to make an official visit to China in October this year, which will be his first visit to an East Asian country since taking office.

This gesture bears a resemblance to Merkel's style. However, even if Mertz wants to emulate Merkel, it is difficult for Sino-German relations to return to their former track.

Mertz has repeatedly publicly expressed strategic vigilance toward China and advocated reducing dependence on China.

In his view, China is an unavoidable reality competitor.

Yet this prime minister, who once raised the banner of vigilance against China, is now leading a delegation to visit China, even bringing Germany's most influential business leaders. The speed of his shift seems like a major turn.

But Mertz's transformation cannot restore Sino-German relations to the honeymoon period of the Merkel era.

Previously, China and Germany were complementary partners in the global order; Germany needed the market, while China needed technology.

Now, the situation has changed. On one hand, the EU as a whole has taken a colder stance toward China; on the other hand, China is no longer simply reliant on German equipment but is instead catching up with or even surpassing Germany in core industries such as automobiles, photovoltaics, and batteries.

Moreover, geopolitical rivalry has intensified, with the U.S. and Europe tightening their technological containment of China. It is no longer possible for Sino-German relations to return to that golden era where we were intertwined with each other.

Even if Mertz's visit conveys many goodwill messages, reality is unlikely to change much.

Sino-German cooperation will continue, but the relationship can't go back to the past.

The path to rebuilding Sino-German relations is not something that can be turned over with just one visit. Mertz may imitate Merkel's diplomatic template, but he cannot replicate the old era that has already become ineffective.

Whether both sides can reconstruct a new framework for cooperation depends not on gestures, but on whether Germany can accept the new reality under the new international order.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837142135580682/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.