Chinese President Meets with German Chancellor

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Facts

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Tuesday as part of a four-day visit to China.¹
• According to China's Foreign Ministry, Xi and Scholz engaged in talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse where the two discussed trade restrictions, climate change, EU-China relations, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Palestine.²
• Scholz is reported to have asked Xi to 'contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine,' while the Chinese President called for 'equal participation' from both Russia and Ukraine to discuss an end to the conflict.³
• Speaking at a press conference following talks with Xi and Li, Scholz stated that the two nations had been 'pragmatic' over economic discussions, including discourse concerning 'a level playing field' for German companies in China and a global trade model without 'unfair Trade Practises.'⁴
• According to a study published in April by the German Economic Institute, prior to Scholz's trip to China, in 2023 200 industry-related product groups with 'high' import dependencies of at least 50% from China were present in Germany.⁵
• Despite this, Xi stated that relations between Germany and China possessed 'no fundamental conflict of interests,' that cooperation with Beijing was not a 'risk,' and that both countries needed to be 'wary of the rise of protectionism.'⁶

Sources: ¹Bloomberg, ²MFA, ³POLITICO, ⁴youtube.com, ⁵German Economic Institute (IW) and ⁶South China Morning Post.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Chinadaily.com.cn. Tuesday's meeting between Pres. Xi and Chancellor Scholz is a testament to the ever-growing relationship between China and Germany. With both economies now deeply intertwined, the highly successfully working relationship between the two countries highlights what can be achieved when East and West choose to cooperate. Together, China and Germany will only prosper as they continue communicating from positions of respect and strength.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Le Monde.fr. By speaking of open and fair cooperation with Beijing, Scholz's Germany has shown itself to be nothing but naïve in believing that its ultra-dependent relationship with China will benefit anything but Pres. Xi's long-term political goals. Scholz's inability to adequately stand up to Xi is further proof that Europe must not become fragmented in its battle against China. Germany already made the calamitous mistake in recent history of believing Russia could be rationally trusted — this cannot happen again with Beijing.

Predictions