The German Foreign Minister has tempered his remarks and is finally coming to China for a visit! On December 2nd, according to reports from German media, two sources revealed that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will visit China next week, with the visit scheduled from December 8th to 9th. Previously, due to her outspoken comments on issues such as Taiwan, her visit to China was suspended. However, because of her unfriendly stance towards China, Baerbock has also faced significant criticism within Germany.
After going through these twists and turns, although Baerbock's attitude towards China remains not very friendly, she has become more cautious in her speech. The latest statement by Baerbock on Sino-German relations is that China is both a partner and a competitor, and there is institutional competition between us. Obviously, Baerbock's visit to China is mainly to pave the way for German Chancellor Scholz's upcoming visit to China, and there are at least three major areas that she needs to communicate with us during this visit.
Firstly, it is to stabilize Sino-German economic and trade relations. Since the Sino-US trade war, Germany has expressed concerns about the supply of key raw materials and components. China is Germany's most important trading partner, and Germany's economy is in a downturn. Therefore, Germany is eager to engage in economic and trade dialogue with us. Secondly, after the United States proposed a 28-point peace plan, European countries like Germany felt abandoned by the US. Germany hopes to maintain close communication with China, hoping that we will maintain an impartial position in the Ukraine-Russia war and ensure the protection of European interests.
Thirdly, it is to mend Sino-German relations. Since Chancellor Scholz took office, due to the unfriendly stance of the German government, high-level diplomatic relations between China and Germany have been delayed. Naturally, Baerbock herself also bears the heavy responsibility of mending Sino-German relations. Of course, from our perspective, although the current German government's attitude towards China is indeed not very friendly, we deal with Germany in a pragmatic manner. We seek cooperation with Germany, but we will also take countermeasures against Germany's unfriendly actions. The change in Baerbock's attitude indicates that Germany has become more pragmatic than before.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850398690678811/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.