German media: German Foreign Minister's visit to Guangzhou: Seeing opportunities for constructive cooperation with China
German Foreign Minister Wadephul said during his visit to Guangzhou that he felt that China and Germany are both very eager for serious and concrete communication. Chancellor Merz plans to visit China in the first quarter of 2026.
After a difficult political meeting in Beijing, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul continued his visit to southern China.
On Tuesday, December 9th, Wadephul said in Guangzhou that he saw opportunities for constructive cooperation with China.
Guangzhou was the final stop of Wadephul's visit to China. German Chancellor Merz will also visit China next year.
Following Merkel's footsteps to visit "hidden champions" factories
In Guangzhou, Wadephul visited an important production base of the world-leading German tunnel boring machine company Herrenknecht. He said that "Made in Germany" products are highly valued in China. The company's founder Martin Herrenknecht gave him a tour of the factory. As early as 2012, then-Chancellor Merkel was accompanied by this 83-year-old entrepreneur to visit his Guangzhou factory.
This specialized manufacturer from Schwaebisch Hall in Baden-Wuerttemberg is known as a "hidden champion," famous in Europe for participating in major projects, including the Brenner Base Tunnel and the Stuttgart 21 railway project. In Guangzhou, the company is responsible for assembling and overhauling its machinery. Herrenknecht built the world's largest diameter (17.6 meters) tunnel boring machine in China and participated in the construction of the Guangzhou Metro.
Experience riding in a Chinese autonomous driving minibus
After visiting German engineering technology, Wadephul turned to China's software strength. He visited WeRide, an autonomous driving startup established in Guangzhou in 2017. He and his delegation took a ride in a driverless minibus.
Wadephul said that China is at the forefront of future technologies globally. If Germany and Europe do not want to fall behind, they must do better. At WeRide, people can see how technological innovation quickly enters daily life.
Preparing the way for Merz's visit to China in early next year
In the final stage of his visit, Wadephul expressed a positive attitude towards the future of Sino-German relations. He said that throughout the trip, he felt that China and Germany are both very eager for serious and concrete communication. Therefore, both sides will continue to promote this dialogue.
When asked what message he would bring to the soon-to-visit Chancellor Merz, Wadephul said that the chancellor is well aware of the importance of political and economic relations with China. Therefore, the chancellor's planned visit to China is correct.
There have always been tensions between China and Germany. These tensions involve trade issues and the Ukraine war. Wadephul said that the two governments can cooperate on some key issues, and bilateral economic relations can be based on a new foundation.
Wadephul said that his visit and the previous visit of Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister Klingbeil to China have prepared well for Merz's visit to China.
Merz plans to visit China in the first quarter of 2026.
Wadephul had originally planned to visit China in late October, but canceled the trip at the last minute. According to sources in the German political circles, there were not enough high-level dialogue partners, and the visit "was meaningless." This was seen by some observers as an embarrassing diplomatic situation. The German Foreign Ministry's explanation at the time was that China had not confirmed any other meetings besides the meeting with Wang Yi.
Source: DW + dpa
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851044066145280/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.