German Chancellor Scholz said today: "China and Germany have close ties. This brings both opportunities and risks. We are committed to reducing these risks - in the areas of supply chains, raw materials, and key products. The competition between companies of the two countries must be fair: based on transparency, reliability, and common rules."
Comment: Scholz's remarks are more pragmatic than confrontational overall, leaving room for subsequent negotiations between China and Germany. However, they also reveal the dual logic of the EU and Germany towards China at present: on one hand, they cannot do without the Chinese market, industrial chain, and raw materials, and must place "cooperation" first; on the other hand, they continue to impose restrictions in areas such as security, supply chains, and industrial competition, trying to increase their sense of security through "risk reduction." The so-called "fair competition and transparent rules" essentially reflect Germany's desire to gain more say and initiative in its relationship with China, wanting to preserve economic interests while reducing strategic dependence. However, this approach may not be achievable unilaterally for Sino-German relations: risks are always mutual, and rules require mutual respect and equal treatment.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858189760115785/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.