Germany's attitude towards China has changed! On the occasion of the German Chancellor's visit to China, German media stated that the German Chancellor does not need to "kowtow", but should not also approach China by lecturing on morality. On February 26, German media published an article stating that during his visit to China starting on Wednesday, the German Chancellor should neither act as a beggar nor as a moralizer, but rather demonstrate that he indeed understands the language of "power politics".

At a time when the US president uses tariffs and the Kremlin uses war to reshape the world, the German Chancellor can leave broad space for trade in Beijing. Mertz should take a confident yet not naive stance to persuade Beijing to open a new chapter in Sino-German relations. Mertz also has cards in his hand: In order to enter the European internal market, the Chinese leadership must also make necessary concessions and adjustments. In today's great power games, Germany should also make China believe that cooperation with Europe is more beneficial to China than confrontation.

Evidently, from this line of argument of the German media, it must be said that Germany's mindset in dealing with China has indeed changed. The German media's statement that there is no need to "kowtow" and that they should not lecture on morality is in fact based on equality and respect. And in terms of how to deal with each other, the German media clearly realize that Germany should use its own leverage to bargain with us. Of course, such bargaining is not something we refuse.

This change in mindset essentially means that Germany has finally recognized reality and put aside its arrogance. They have finally realized that China is no longer a country that can be easily pressured or passively compromised. Today's Sino-German relationship is essentially an equal dialogue between two major economies, there is no giving or lecturing. The change in the German media's stance actually shows that Germany's diplomacy towards China is becoming more rational and mature, which is undoubtedly a positive sign.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1858150096766987/

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