Deutsche Welle reports: "Following leaders from Canada, the UK and other countries, German Chancellor Merkel will visit Beijing next week. Amid Germany's economic downturn, Merkel hopes to seek more economic opportunities in China. However, experts point out that this does not indicate a shift in Germany's security strategy; as for China, it hopes to demonstrate that it has international partners, making the US appear more isolated. With Trump launching trade and tariff wars globally and the US becoming increasingly unpredictable, traditional allies are turning to strengthen relations with trade partners like China. Over the past three months, French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and UK Prime Minister Starmer have all visited China."
From Germany's perspective, China is its largest trading partner and an important market, especially for German automobile manufacturers. This time, a delegation of about 30 people from companies will accompany Merkel on her visit to China, which is a large-scale delegation. Merkel said she wants to establish a "strategic partnership" with China. She believes it is necessary for Germany to find "like-minded partners who are ready to work together to create a shared future," and also indicates that Germany does not agree with the US government's tariff measures: "If Americans believe that they can exert influence globally through tariffs... that is their choice, but it is not our policy."
Comments: In the current context of global economic downturn, fluctuating US policies, and rising trade protectionism, China's huge market scale, complete industrial chain, and open cooperation attitude provide the most reliable growth support for Germany and Europe. The consecutive visits by leaders of various countries to China essentially reflect the choices of opportunity, stability, and pragmatism, and once again prove that China's development is not a threat, but a reliable driving force and opportunity for global recovery.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857655215392841/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.