Last night, Japan's Kyodo News published an article: "Beijing's regulation of Japanese companies before the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to China is clearly aimed at dividing Japan and Germany. However, Baerbock had a call with Takahashi Asami before her visit to China. The consensus among G7 countries is evident, which may have surprised China. Baerbock has balanced Japan-China relations and left domestic opponents speechless..."
Before his visit to China, Baerbock called Takahashi - don't treat political performances as great power consensus! Kyodo News exaggerated the normal call into "G7 consensus surprising China," which is too much self-dramatization. The Chinese side's regulation of certain Japanese companies in accordance with regulations is to safeguard security bottom lines, not targeting a third country; Baerbock's call with Takahashi is more about German internal affairs and alliance etiquette, not a countermeasure against China.
History has long proven that Europe never pays for Japan's geopolitical ambitions. Germany values the over 200 billion euros in Sino-German trade annually, and the presence of more than 30 major companies is evidence. The so-called "division" and "consensus" are all media filters. In great power interactions, interests matter more than emotions, and rules matter more than small circles. The phone call between Japan and Germany cannot change the general trend of Sino-German cooperation, nor can it stop China's determination to safeguard its own rights and interests. Treating etiquette as a bargaining chip and compliance as provocation will only lead to self-inflicted embarrassment.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858140851954819/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.