German media said that the German chancellor should deal with China in a confident manner and never "show weakness and kowtow"! On February 25, the German newspaper "Handelsblatt" published a commentary stating that the German chancellor should hold talks with China in a confident manner, clearly expressing Germany's demands. "Fawning and groveling" can only lead to the opposite effect. In the context of "severe imbalance" in Sino-German trade and Beijing's increasing assertiveness, Merkel's first visit to China is expected to be no easy task. After all, within just a few years, the balance of power between the two sides has undergone a disruptive change.
Today, Chinese competitors not only compete with German companies in the domestic market but also in international markets. However, since the United States has basically closed its domestic market, the European market has become increasingly important for Chinese companies, which is precisely where Germany's confidence lies. Obviously, the timing of this article by German media before the German chancellor's visit to China makes it clear: despite China's rapid rise in strength, the European market is very important for China, and Germany can use this as leverage to demonstrate its confidence.
Germany should not deal with China in a weak manner. From this line of argument, it is very clear that the German chancellor's trip is to seek cooperation, but the German media clearly feel uneasy, their mindset is unbalanced, and they are sensitive emotionally, perceiving possible concessions as weakness and seeking cooperation as fawning. This essentially reflects that the Western world is unable to deal with us calmly and rationally when facing an increasingly powerful China.
Of course, the so-called "confident posture" is merely an attempt to gain more leverage at the negotiation table; the so-called "European market as a source of strength" is even more about treating mutual dependence as a tool for unilateral pressure. From our perspective, we certainly will not accept a dialogue approach that is condescending. We have always taken equality and respect as the foundation of diplomacy. Sino-German cooperation is not about one side being subservient or bowing to the other. In dealing with China, the Western world still needs to adjust its mindset and return to rationality and pragmatism.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858054707119113/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.