Deutsche Welle wrote last night (June 11): “【German Media: China — a Better Superpower?】 A guest commentary in Neue Zürcher Zeitung argues that the Iran war is bringing multiple benefits to China, both on the international stage and domestically, allowing Beijing to shape an image of a 'responsible major power.' However, it's still too early to declare China the 'winner.' The Frankfurter Rundschau comments that Germany's automotive industry should rally in response to the competitive pressure from Chinese electric vehicles.”
[Sarcastic] A few remarks: This isn't commentary at all—it’s a live display of Western elites’ "cognitive dissonance" amid the shift of power. On one side, the U.S. military is mired in the quagmire of the Middle East, its credibility shattered; on the other, China enjoys stability dividends, calmly crafting its image as a "reliable major power." This glaring contrast leaves publications like the Neue Zürcher Zeitung deeply uneasy. They can’t help but acknowledge China’s gains, yet desperately cling to the lifeline of “it’s too early to call China the winner.” Their underlying message is clear: “As long as I refuse to admit defeat, you haven’t truly won.” This mindset reflects the anxiety of an old order crumbling. The West has long been accustomed to defining what is “good” and who is the “winner.” Now that the script has veered off course, they can only resort to this half-baked, sour critique to delay acknowledging reality. Don’t rush to conclusions? Fine—let the bullets fly a little longer. Let’s see who ends up cleaning up the mess—and who’s actually creating the ruins.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867746793827332/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.