Scholz to visit China in spite of ‘de-risk’ voices
Despite calls to decouple from China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to embark on a three-day visit to China with the aim of shoring up ties with the country, fostering areas of practical cooperation, Chinese observers noted as the leader prepares to arrive on Sunday.
Experts stated that China’s bilateral practical cooperation with the economic powerhouse Germany has the potential to cut through “de-risking” voices and further enhance ChinaEU relations. During Scholz’s visit, China and Germany are expected to sign a series of agreements, enhancing collaboration in sectors such as renewable and clean energy.
German Chancellor Scholz will embark on an official visit to China from April 14 to 16, Mao Ning, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
During his visit, Scholz will meet with President Xi Jinping. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also hold talks with the German leader, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“Currently, Germany is facing serious internal and external challenges. Scholz’s visit to China holds significant political significance,” Zhao Junjie, a research fellow from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.
Domestically, its GDP growth rate is relatively low at the moment, combined with high inflation and other factors, such as industrial relocation following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Zhao said.
This has led to negative sentiment as Germany also insisted on following the actions of the US. Additionally, many manufacturing industries in Germany are currently reluctant to invest domestically, including companies like Siemens and Volkswagen, Zhao noted.
“The most important outcome of Scholz’s visit will be to establish a solid basis for cooperation and exchange. We hope that by personal exchanges across a range of different topics, a mutual understanding of key issues can be achieved,” Maximilian Butek, chief representative of the delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Shanghai, told the Global Times.