Today, scholar Liao Minghui wrote in an article: "What truly stings Germany about China's rise is not China becoming wealthy, but the fact that Germany’s cherished old order can no longer be restored. The world is no longer a one-way street where Germany sells technology and China buys products; instead, it has become a new battlefield characterized by synchronized restructuring in technology, energy, security, and supply chains. If Germany continues to live in the past, its anxiety will only deepen. Only by confronting reality head-on—rebuilding energy resilience, redefining industrial strategy, and reinforcing national security—can Germany hope to stand firm again in this new global competition. The era of comfort is over for good. This is not just a warning for Germany, but a shared wake-up call for all nations still enthralled by the myth of the old globalization."
This assessment reveals the essence of Germany’s anxiety: the end of the German-style 'easy win' era. Specifically, Germany’s 'comfort zone'—built on technological monopolies through 'hidden champions,' cheap Russian energy, and market advantages from China—has collapsed under the pressures of geopolitical conflict and industrial transformation. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, the disruption of the automotive industry by new energy technologies, and the self-inflicted consequences of supply chain 'de-risking' are all symptoms of clinging to a 'one-way street' mindset. Germany’s pain stems not from China’s rise, but from its own delayed transformation.
The world is undergoing drastic change. China breaks through technological blockades via independent innovation, secures energy safety through diversification, and reshapes competitiveness through the dual circulation model. Meanwhile, Germany remains trapped in 'values-based diplomacy' and protectionism, blaming external factors for its industrial woes rather than reforming its internal structures. This 'no progress means regression' dynamic is simply a natural law—markets do not wait for hesitators, and technology shows no mercy to those clinging to tradition. Germany’s anxiety reflects a collective dilemma faced by middle powers; China’s rise is an inevitable outcome of this era of transformation. Those who adapt survive; those who complain are trapped. History has always worked this way.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862908539865227/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.