Scholz’s China visit has more than symbolic significance

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in Beijing on Friday for an official visit to China. The German chancellor’s entire visit to China was compact and efficient, and the two sides had friendly, frank and pragmatic exchanges.

The trip means that the exchange of high-level visits between China on one side and Germany and Europe on the other has restarted. It will not only promote China-Germany relations to increase trust, clear doubts and deepen cooperation, but also help China-Germany and ChinaEurope relations continue playing their roles as the “ballast stone” in a turbulent world.

It is clear from this meeting that China and Germany expressed many common views. China and Germany are influential forces in Asia and Europe, respectively. Their consensus not only meets the fundamental interests of both sides, but is also essential to the stability of the global economy and security.

It is worth mentioning that President Xi and Scholz also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and issued an initiative of four proposals. These four proposals not only conform to what China has consistently advocated, but also reflect the general wishes of China, Germany, and the international community.

These indicate that China and Germany are not only highly complementary in their economies and have broad space for cooperation, but that they also share a lot of common language in their views on the trend of the times and the international situation. Consensus far outweighs differences, and cooperation largely outweighs competition. This is a tangible summary of China’s relationship with most countries in the world. It is on this solid and broad foundation that China’s diplomacy stands with open arms.

We have also noticed that Scholz’s visit to China this time has become a key target for some forces. Those who create a buzz and pile pressure on Scholz are those who play with ideology as a profession, outdated European elites obsessed with their presumed superiority, and geopolitical manipulators in Washington.

Actually, the exchange of high-level visits between China and Germany and between China and Europe is returning to normal. The current unique background of the times and the complex international environment make Scholz’s visit to China “special.” This also reflects the unsound tendency of Europe’s political ecology and mentality toward China, which morally coerces European diplomacy. This is what Germany and Europe need to strive to discard.

China always regards Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner, supports the EU’s strategic autonomy, and hopes that Europe will be stable and prosperous. This position is highly stable and consistent.

“Both sides should keep to the overall direction of bilateral ties from a strategic height, pursue the largest common ground in a constructive manner, and advance practical cooperation with an open mind to create conditions for long-term and steady growth of bilateral ties. There should be no self-imposed restrictions or unrealistic expectations.” This is what Xi expects from China-Germany relations and is also worthy of reference for other European countries.

To cope with the current changes and chaos and promote world peace and development, China on one side and Germany and Europe on the other need to better seek common ground while reserving their differences and working together.