German Chancellor pays official visit to China, promoting bilateral relations

According to Xinhua News Agency, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Chancellor Scholz began an official visit to China from April 14th to 16th. During the visit, Chancellor Scholz will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hold talks with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, and visit Shanghai and Chongqing – cities with many German businesses.

Politico noted that this was Chancellor Scholz's longest and most important trip since taking office at the end of 2021. For the Chancellor, who is besieged by record low approval ratings and an uncomfortable ruling coalition, the trip to China was not only an opportunity to demonstrate that the German leader has built a global standing, but also to show German voters that Chancellor Scholz "will do everything necessary for the development of Germany."

Accompanying Chancellor Scholz were leaders from several leading German corporations such as Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Merck KGaA, etc.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his official visit to China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on November 4, 2022. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency)

This visit is expected not only to strengthen and promote cooperation between Germany and China – the world's leading economy – but also to help bring the European Union and China closer together.

According to Global Times, researcher Zhao Junjie from the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said that in the context of Germany facing serious challenges from both inside and outside, Chancellor Scholz's visit to China has very important political significance.

China is currently Germany's largest trading partner, while Germany is the largest EU investor in China, with a record investment of 12 billion euros in 2023.

According to China Daily, Ding Chun, Director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University (Shanghai), stated that whether it's global geopolitical conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas conflict, climate change, or food insecurity, these issues "cannot be resolved without China's involvement. As a key country in Europe, Germany believes that direct communication with China is extremely important."

According to VTV

Source