BEIJING – Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited China in the past three days, with his trip concluding today in the capital city of Beijing. The visit was themed “Acting Sustainably Together” and focused on the China strategy of the German government, which was published last year. Here are the key aspects of his journey:
- Economy and Trade: Accompanied by an economic delegation, Scholz visited German companies and production facilities in the cities of Chongqing and Shanghai. The goal was to maintain exchanges with China and strengthen bilateral economic relations.
- Protection of Global Goods and Sustainability: Given the challenges posed by climate change, Scholz advocated for sustainability. He engaged in discussions with Chinese leaders about strategies to combat climate change and promote green energy transition.
- Geopolitical Challenges: Scholz met with President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Their conversations covered current bilateral issues and global matters. Scholz condemned the Iranian attack on Israeli territory and emphasized the necessity of cooperation among major powers.
In a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping, Scholz underscored the importance of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany. He discussed European security in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s military buildup. Additionally, he emphasized the need to collectively address climate change and strengthen economic ties between China and Germany.
Chancellor Scholz’s request for China to influence Russian President Putin to bring the Ukraine conflict to a swift end, as expected, went unanswered. China is known to be a close partner and supporter of Russia. It also remained unclear whether China would participate in a planned peace conference in Switzerland. Russia has already declined to attend.
In a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping, Scholz emphasized the importance of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany. He also stressed the need to jointly combat climate change and strengthen economic relations between China and Germany.
After the final press conference in Beijing, where no questions were allowed, the question remains whether this trip has yielded any positive results. The final assessment will likely only be possible in the coming days after the Chancellor’s return to Berlin. (hz)
Photo: AT