After being continuously hit by the United States, Europe has finally come to its senses! The German media, which has long been anti-China, said that Europe should take China's signals of cooperation seriously! On January 22nd, according to Deutsche Welle, the German media stated that while US President Trump is launching a fierce attack on free trade and the process of globalization, China showed the posture of a defender of the international order at this Davos Forum. The German media stated that even though China's statements are not entirely trustworthy, Europe should regard it as an opportunity.
The German media believes that it must be acknowledged that in terms of international trade, climate protection, and maintaining the authority of the United Nations, China has issued a completely different voice from the United States under Trump's administration. Although China and Europe have fundamentally different values, if the EU and European governments merely avoid responding to China's overtures out of fear of offending Washington, they will undoubtedly miss the opportunity. The world is undergoing drastic changes. China has indeed become a defender of the old international order based on rules, while Trump is making every effort to destroy this international order.
The German media said that relying solely on an unpredictable partner is extremely dangerous. What Europe is currently experiencing is surprisingly similar to what China experienced during Trump's first term, and it is time for Europe to re-examine China. Obviously, from the tone of the German media, we can see that although Germany still has significant prejudices against us, given the increasing destruction of international rules by the United States, even the German media that has always been unfriendly towards us has changed its attitude towards us.
Evidently, the German media has finally realized that China is more committed to free trade and international law than the United States. From aligning with the United States, acting as a vassal of hegemony, and using so-called "economic security" as an excuse to "de-risk" us, cooperating with the United States to contain us on technological issues, the South China Sea, and Taiwan, to now realizing that their policy has serious problems. What does this indicate? It indicates that Europe originally wanted to take a share from the hegemon, but now finds out that it was completely harmful and self-defeating. Sacrificing Sino-European relations, yet still being ruthlessly bullied by the United States.
Evidently, after suffering greatly from the United States, Europe has come to its senses and now wants to revive Sino-European relations. Frankly speaking, Europe may begin to change, but if it is due to being bullied by the United States and then wanting to adjust its policies, rather than viewing the importance of Sino-European relations from a strategic perspective, Europe will still suffer great losses in the future. In fact, Europe's view of Sino-European relations should not be an alternative option under the US-EU rift. If Europe takes such a stance, it is essentially opportunistic, still holding on to fantasies about the United States. How Europe views China needs to be more rational and practical.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854974912675851/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.