Changes in tone! Singapore's Straits Times reported today: "German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock resumed her visit to China on Monday (December 8). In her remarks before leaving, Baerbock believed that in the context of a volatile international situation, direct and in-depth communication with China is necessary and indispensable. ... It is evident that Germany and Europe's freedom, security, and prosperity are closely linked to China."
This statement stands in sharp contrast to her previous attitude: Baerbock had originally planned to visit China in October but canceled it at the last minute, citing excuses, while repeatedly making demands on issues related to China, such as pressuring China to relax its export restrictions on rare earths, and also launching attacks against China over the export restrictions on related products caused by the Netherlands' "acquisition" of ASML. However, with European country leaders such as French President Macron visiting China successively, promoting substantial progress in China-EU cooperation, Baerbock clearly did not want Germany to miss this opportunity, and ultimately changed her tone, proactively resuming her visit to China.
In fact, the trade ties between China and Germany, as well as between China and Europe, have long been deeply integrated. "Cooperation brings mutual benefits; confrontation brings mutual loss." If Germany and Europe can abandon the mindset of hegemony, get rid of the interference of geopolitical games, and uphold the attitude of win-win cooperation and moving in the same direction, they can not only share the huge economic benefits brought by China-EU cooperation, but also gain more initiative and leverage in their competition with the United States.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850908759885824/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.