The new German government's foreign minister visited China, and China hopes to come "for cooperation". Senior officials from China and Germany exchanged views on diplomacy, economy, and trade
German Foreign Minister Walder began a two-day visit to China on December 8th. Before his visit to China, Wade Fur stated that direct and in-depth exchanges with China are "necessary and indispensable". According to reports from German television and other media outlets, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with German Foreign Minister Walder in Beijing on the 8th. Walder also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Haixing on the same day. On the 9th, Wade Fur will travel to Guangdong Province to visit enterprises in Guangzhou. During the two-day trip, Waldfurt brought an economic delegation as well as representatives from the German Federal Parliament and civil society. On the 8th, a German scholar stated in an interview with Global Times that since the postponement of his visit to China in October this year, Walder has made adjustments to some of his previous statements. He has prepared more thoroughly and fully for this visit, and has a deeper understanding of its significance; He held meetings with several senior Chinese officials during this visit, which shows that both China and Germany attach great importance to this visit. As the Foreign Minister of the new German government, Walder is tasked with discussing diplomatic and strategic issues and preparing for Chancellor Merkel's visit to China. This visit can be described as a 'deep diplomatic journey', and its importance is self-evident.
Intensive talks with Chinese officials
On December 8th, German Foreign Minister Walder held talks and meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister respectively in Beijing.
During the meeting, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that this is the first visit of a foreign minister to China since the establishment of the new German government. The visit has been full of twists and turns, but there is a saying in China that 'good things take time'. It is not a problem to come early or late, what is important is why you came. It should come for cooperation, not for arguments; It comes to enhance understanding and trust, not to widen differences. I hope Germany can view China more objectively and rationally, adhere to the positioning of the China Germany partnership, view China's development as an opportunity for deepening cooperation and a driving force for mutual benefit, and jointly promote the stable and healthy development of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany.
Walder said that Germany also has the saying that everything is good if the result is good. During the exchange of views on the Ukrainian crisis, Wadfur introduced the German position and hoped that China would exert its influence to promote an early end to the Ukrainian crisis. Wang Yi reiterated China's consistent position. China supports all efforts that are conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
On the same day, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao emphasized during a meeting with Walder that the current trend towards politicization and pan security in economic and trade issues is on the rise, seriously disrupting the security and stability of the global supply chain. The Chinese side attaches great importance to the concerns of the German side on export control, Anshi Semiconductor and other issues. The general licensing system is gradually being applied in rare earth and other fields, and Anshi Semiconductor related chip export license exemption measures have been taken to maintain the stability and smoothness of the global production and supply chain. The most important thing at present is for the Dutch government to stop improper administrative intervention, stabilize the semiconductor supply chain as soon as possible, and prevent risks to the global automotive and consumer goods industries.
Walder stated that China is Germany's most important economic and trade partner, and both sides have broad common interests in promoting WTO reform, developing circular economy, and addressing climate change. The German government is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation, properly handle differences, and jointly safeguard free trade and the rules based multilateral trading system. The German government and industry appreciate China's promotion of the application of the rare earth universal licensing system, appreciate China's active efforts to stabilize the global production and supply chain, and are willing to play a role in the Anshi semiconductor issue, working together with China to promote enterprises to find long-term effective solutions as soon as possible.
Berlin's Diplomatic Ballet: Managing Trade Turmoil with China. "The Indian news website" Devdiscourse "announced on the 8th that the visit of the German Foreign Minister was initially postponed, but its significance lies in the fact that Germany is still committed to seeking strong dialogue in the uncertain international situation. The focus of this trip is to strengthen economic ties and address export restrictions that affect German industry. The article states that this visit highlights the importance of direct communication with China, which is crucial for ensuring the prosperity of Germany and Europe in the complex geopolitical landscape.
Jiang Feng, a researcher at Shanghai International Studies University and president of the Shanghai Regional Nationalities Society, referred to Wade Fur's visit to China as a "deep diplomatic trip" in an interview with Global Times on the 8th. He said that from a positive perspective, Germany's diplomatic style has always been "pragmatic", accustomed to facing contradictions and hoping to solve problems. Sending the Finance Minister and Foreign Minister first, and finally the Prime Minister's visit, the signal conveyed is very clear: Germany needs to shape and promote its relations with China from multiple levels of politics, strategy, and finance simultaneously.
Economic and trade issues are receiving attention
The economic and trade relations between China and Germany are the core focus of Wade Fur's visit. Wade Fur stated on the 7th that close economic relations are always crucial. To this day, Germany and China can still provide each other with many things. He emphasized that Germany and China share common interests in ensuring stable and reliable global trade relations. In the long run, all of this can only be achieved if all parties abide by fair and open international trade rules.
Prior to his departure, Wade Fur repeatedly mentioned that the German side needs and is willing to engage in cooperation and dialogue with the Chinese side. Only by working together can progress be made in addressing major challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, "he said." We want to work with China, but we also hope to see (China) understand Europe's key concerns and interests
The German newspaper Mainichi Shimbun stated that the meeting between Walder and the Chinese Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister is particularly important, as China is currently Germany's largest trading partner. Germany's dependence on the Chinese economy continues to deepen, especially in the areas of semiconductors and rare earths. According to Reuters on the 8th, when asked by German media during his visit to China if there has been progress in persuading Beijing to issue rare earth export licenses to German companies, Walder said, "We have received some signals, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Germany China relations: strategic cooperation is the focus, "said the German" Investment Weekly "on the 8th. The economic and trade relations between Germany and China are complex, and as a multi-level partner, China brings both opportunities and challenges. But for the struggling German economy, constructive cooperation remains crucial. Meanwhile, China also benefits from this partnership. A key issue in German Chinese relations is the supply guarantee of strategic key raw materials. Wade Fur's trip highlights the strategic importance of this issue.
After concluding his visit to Beijing, Wade Fur will go to Guangzhou for a visit on the 9th. Jiang Feng told a reporter from Global Times, "This trip should be a 'deep diplomatic trip', not just focusing on surface issues such as rare earths. The real challenge for Germany and Europe is the overall decline in competitiveness. When he arrives in Guangdong, he should be able to see the current vitality of the Chinese economy and the competitive support behind the large number of exports to Europe. This schedule will help him gain a deeper understanding of China, the future direction of Sino German and even Sino European relations, and how Germany and even the whole Europe position themselves
Europe engages in pragmatic dialogue amidst the wave of visits to China
Last month, the visit of the Spanish king to China after 18 years attracted attention from the outside world, and the visit of French President Macron to China last week was warmly welcomed by the Chinese people. German Chancellor Mertz and British Prime Minister Stamer are reportedly scheduled to visit China next year. Since the postponement of his visit to China in October this year, the resumption of his visit is considered an important step in stabilizing bilateral relations.
According to a report by the German editorial network on the 8th, German scholar Hu Mikong believes that this trip aims to restore the diplomatic normalization that both countries should have. The visit of German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Klimbauer has helped to ease the situation. Hu Mikong suggested that careful consideration should be given to the tone of China policy - 'Loud drumming without substantial content is of little significance'.
Zheng Chunrong, Director of the German Studies Center at Tongji University, told Global Times reporters on the 8th that Germany has long played a leading role in China Europe relations, and the comprehensive and deep cooperation between China and Germany has benchmark significance in China's foreign relations. According to the initial plan, if the German side could arrange a high-level visit earlier, it could have further consolidated this leading position and set the tone for the bilateral and China EU relations agenda - which is an important opportunity for itself and China EU relations. However, due to inappropriate remarks made by some officials, the German side had previously taken a "cold treatment" by the Chinese side, and subsequently emotionally postponed the visit. Although Germany once missed the opportunity, as long as it can persist in pragmatic dialogue and promote specific cooperation agendas, China still welcomes it, which is of crucial significance for China Germany and even China Europe relations.
The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong quoted scholars' analysis that at present, China Europe relations are gradually improving. This is mainly due to the American factor, as European countries realize that they can no longer rely on the United States. European powers have recently made pragmatic contacts with China.