German Chancellor Olaf Scholz landed in Chongqing Municipality on Sunday, accompanied by senior representatives from leading German companies such as Siemens, BMW, Zeiss, Bayer, and Mercedes-Benz. This marks Scholz's second visit to the Chinese mainland since taking office and his first after Germany unveiled its Strategy on China in July 2023.
Amid the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions, there have been increasing calls within Germany to reduce economic dependence on the Chinese mainland, with some advocating for a complete \"decoupling.\" However, Germany's strategy firmly positions China as a \"partner, competitor, and systematic rival,\" emphasizing the importance of \"de-risking\" rather than severing economic ties.
Scholz's visit underscores Berlin's commitment to maintaining robust economic relations with the Chinese mainland. Economic cooperation has long been the cornerstone of Germany-China relations, with China being Germany's largest global trading partner for eight consecutive years. Additionally, Germany has been China's largest trading partner in Europe for an impressive 49 years.
Statistics from Destatis reveal that the Chinese mainland has been the top source of imported goods to Germany since 2015, while the Chinese market stands as the fourth largest export destination for German products. Despite the pressures to \"de-risk,\" German companies remain optimistic about investing in China, viewing the partnership as vital for future growth.
Scholz's three-day delegation trip is a clear signal that Germany and the Chinese mainland are keen to explore new avenues for cooperation, balancing competitive dynamics with mutual economic interests. As German firms continue to invest and expand in China, the prospects for strengthened Beijing-Berlin economic ties look promising.
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Scholz's China visit: Cooperation still trend of China-Germany ties
cgtn.com
