“It’s not China 10 years ago” … German Chancellor Xi Jinping

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is the first Western leader to visit China since Xi Jinping took office on the 4th. Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Scholz, who visited China, and sought to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a rapidly changing world situation. On the other hand, the United States and the European Union (EU), which have tightened their containment policy with China, have criticized Prime Minister Scholz’s visit to China as “naive”, raising concerns that the conflict between the two sides can learn more in the future.

According to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, during a meeting with Prime Minister Scholz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the same day, Xi said: “The current international situation is complex and ever-changing.” contribute more to peace and development, “he said.

He added: “I believe that Prime Minister Scholz’s visit to China will be a good opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two sides, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and develop China-Germany relations to the next level.” . China, which suffers from conflicts with the Western world, including the United States, has actively contacted Germany, which is considered a weak link in Europe.

Xi also noted that bilateral relations have developed significantly over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany,” she said. “Over the 50-year journey, the two sides pursue principles such as mutual respect, mutual respect, mutual respect and exchange, cooperation, and win-win.” Through this, we have been able to take the great direction of bilateral relations in a stable and unprejudiced way, “he said.

Prime Minister Scholz’s visit to China is the first since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 as a European leader. The Chinese side warmly welcomes the first visit by a Western leader since the inauguration of the third term of Xi Jinping. China, which has a strict zero-crown policy, exempted Prime Minister Scholz and German political and economic figures who visited China with a 10-day quarantine, is an extension of that. Chinese state media also reported that “Prime Minister Scholz’s move puts Germany’s economic interests first” and that “Germany and China can win for all”.

In particular, Germany hopes Chancellor Scholz will continue the keynote of his predecessor, former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel has formed such close ties with China that she has visited China 12 times during her 16-year term. The China-EU Comprehensive Investment Agreement (CAI), which China is working to finalize, is also one of Merkel’s works.

The talks are known to have focused on economic cooperation between the two countries. In fact, the German suspension list includes many prominent corporate figures such as Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume, Siemens CEO Roland Busch, Merck CEO Belen Garriho, Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Zebbing, and Chairman of the Board of BASF management Martin Brudermüller. These German companies all have one thing in common: they do great business in China.

Notably, China was Germany’s largest trading partner for six consecutive years until last year. Even within the EU, Germany is heavily dependent on trade with China. According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical body, Germany’s exports of goods to China in 2021 amounted to € 104.655 billion, ranking first among EU member states. This is more than four times that of France (24.28 billion euros), the second country. This is why we have no choice but to foster relationships ‘alone’ despite Western public sanctions.

“China today is not the China it was 5 or 10 years ago,” Scholz said in an article sent to a German media before visiting China. “The changed China remains an important economic and trade partner for Germany and Europe. No,” he said.

Chancellor Scholz tried to improve relations with China despite the opposition in Germany. On the 26th of last month, the German government authorized the participation of the Chinese state-owned shipping company China Ocean Shipping (COSCO) in the largest German port of Hamburg. Six ministries, including the Ministry of Economy, Defense and Foreign Affairs, opposed it, arguing that it “expands China’s strategic influence over Germany and European transport infrastructure and increases Germany’s dependence on China too much” , but Prime Minister Scholz insisted on allowing it. .

The German government is also considering whether to approve a plan to sell its semiconductor maker Elmos to Swedish rival Gilex for 85 million euros (about 120 billion won). Gilex is 100% owned by Cymicroelectronics, a Chinese information technology (IT) company. Semiconductor companies are high-tech companies reluctant to sell to China in the West, including the United States.

The EU and the US have expressed mixed voices of criticism of this visit. This is because Germany could deviate from the position of controlling China, which has invaded Ukraine and China, which threatens Taiwan, and a rift in the united ranks could arise.

The traffic lights of Germany (Social Democrats – Red, Liberal Democrats – Yellow, Green – Green) The coalition government has also become inevitable in terms of public policy. At the time of its inauguration, the German coalition government had stipulated in the coalition agreement that “China is a competing competitor and rival for the system”. The German government is expected to finalize a new policy for China by spring next year. Germany’s policy towards China should go through a coordination process between the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

[베이징/손일선 특파원·서울 한재범 기자]