The head of the German government, Olaf Scholz, received Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a meeting that marks a diplomatic readjustment towards China. Li Qiang, who took office in March, chose Germany as his first official foreign destination.
German President Franz-Walter Steinmeier, who met with Li the day before, made clear the framework of the meeting and the difficulties they face. He acknowledged that China is both a partner and a competitor and rival on the political stage.
Tuesday’s consultations were attended by eight German ministers, including ministers of economics, finance, and foreign affairs. This meeting is seen as a test to determine whether genuine collaboration between Berlin and Beijing is still possible, according to Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Institute for Public Policy.
On the economic front, Germany is seeking to diversify its partners in order to reduce the risk of becoming too dependent on the Asian giant in strategic sectors. However, at the diplomatic level, there are marked divergences between the two countries, from tensions over Taiwan to accusations of mistreatment of the Uyghur minority and China’s lack of condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite these obstacles, the German government insists on treating China as a partner and seeking its cooperation on key issues such as the fight against climate change. However, China has expressed its displeasure at being seen as a competitor, rival, or adversary, arguing that this generates divisions and confrontations.
The most recent German intelligence report also identifies China as the biggest threat in terms of economic and scientific espionage, as well as foreign direct investment in Germany.
In his meeting with the German president, Li assured him that China was willing to work with Germany to contribute to global stability and prosperity.
Given the conflict between China and the United States, Germany presents itself as a good partner for China, especially as the Chinese economy faces difficulties recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, managing this balance between economic interests and geopolitical and human rights tensions represents a challenge for both the current negotiations and the future of relations between the two countries.