German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to embark on a three-day visit to the Chinese mainland from April 14 to 16, aiming to bolster bilateral relations, enhance practical cooperation, and address global hotspot issues. Despite ongoing calls for 'de-risking' from China, the visit underscores Germany's commitment to maintaining strong economic and political ties.
Scholz's itinerary includes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, where they are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in various fields, particularly in economy and trade. The visit also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations.
Accompanying Scholz are key German officials, including Environment Minister Steffi Lemke, Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, and Transport Minister Volker Wissing. Additionally, top business leaders such as Roland Busch of Siemens AG, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius, and Merck's CEO Belen Garijo will join the visit, highlighting the strong economic ties between the two nations.
Experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences emphasize the importance of Scholz's visit as a bellwether for China-European Union cooperation. They note that German companies view China as a reliable trade partner despite geopolitical tensions and export decoupling discussions influenced by U.S. policies.
The Federal Statistical Office of Germany reported that China remained Germany's most important trading partner for the eighth consecutive year in 2023. With direct investments in China reaching a record €11.9 billion, the economic interdependence between the two countries is evident.
Scholz’s visit is his second to China since taking office and comes after a year that marked the 50th anniversary of Germany-China diplomatic relations. As the first European leader to visit China following the Communist Party's 20th National Congress, Scholz aims to reinforce Germany's stance against economic decoupling and promote mutual investment and trade liberalization.
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Why Olaf Scholz is set to visit China despite 'de-risking' calls
cgtn.com
