German Chancellor Scholz traveled to China to meet with President Xi Jinping, who is entering an unprecedented third term as the head of the Communist Party.

The two leaders are believed to have exchanged views on the response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and on the economic cooperation that has continued to expand between the two countries.

German Chancellor Scholz visited China for the first time as the leader of the G7 = seven major countries since the global spread of the new coronavirus began on the 4th, and met with President Xi Jinping.



Although the details of the meeting have not been disclosed, according to China's foreign ministry, Xi said, "China and Germany, as influential powers, will work hand-in-hand in the face of the complex situation and strive for world peace and prosperity." We should contribute to development," he said, expressing his intention to continue to strengthen the cooperative relationship.



During the meeting, the two leaders are believed to have exchanged views on how to deal with Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.



In addition, China is Germany's largest trading partner, and he was accompanied by executives of German companies on his visit. You can



On the other hand, the visit has been criticized for prioritizing economic relations and that it could lead to a disruption of unity between Europe and the United States, amid heightened wariness about China due to human rights issues and maritime advances in Europe.



For Chancellor Scholz, the challenge is whether he can win the understanding of European countries and people.

“Prime Minister Scholz prioritizes economic interests with China” criticism

Amid growing wariness of China over human rights issues and maritime expansion in the South China Sea in Germany, Prime Minister Scholz has been criticized for prioritizing economic interests with China.



The trigger was that the government conditionally allowed a Chinese state-owned company to invest in a port in northern Hamburg on the 26th of last month.



Local media warned that the EU = European Union would not authorize it, saying that important information about the port could be leaked. I'm here.



Many local media outlets critically reported the decision.



The popular newspaper Bild has published a photo of Chancellor Scholz as a puppet of Chinese President Xi Jinping.



In addition, the newspaper Tagesspiegel, which is published mainly in the capital Berlin, carried a picture of Chancellor Scholz sitting alone on the front page with the headline ``Lonely Chancellor.'' is different.



In addition, the influential newspaper "Zeit", in an electronic version analysis article on the 31st of last month, expressed the view that the prime minister's visit to China would be used to give authority to President Xi, who is in his third term. The visit is very badly timed," he said, emphasizing that the Chancellor's decision to accompany executives from German companies on the visit also appears to be a reversal of the stance of the former Merkel administration, which emphasized China. It criticizes that it is trying to deepen its dependence on China in the United States.

Ministers make harsh remarks against China

In Germany, the former Merkel administration had a conspicuous stance of emphasizing China, but in recent years, due to human rights issues and maritime advances in the South China Sea, the sense of wariness against China has increased. has issued harsh statements to China.



In an interview with the leading newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung last month, Foreign Minister Beerbock criticized that "China is not only threatening Taiwan with military force, but is also trying to impose its own rules on the international community." We will not rely on countries that do not share our views," he said, suggesting that companies should refrain from excessive investment in China.



In addition, multiple media reported that the government in May refused to compensate a major German automaker for a new investment in China, citing human rights issues in China.



Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Harbeck, who is said to have made this decision, said in September that ``the sweet stance toward China is over,'' and indicated that he would proceed with policies while considering human rights issues.



The Scholz administration is a coalition government of three parties, and Mr. Bearbock and Mr. Harbeck belong to the `` Green Party '' that emphasizes human rights.



In addition, there is an opinion that Germany should take lessons from the fact that Germany is suffering from the effects of soaring prices because it relied on Russian natural gas, which is invading Ukraine, and public broadcaster ZDF polled last month. , 84% answered yes to the question, "Is it important to reduce economic dependence on China?"

German expert: The purpose of the visit is to maintain economic relations

Regarding German Chancellor Scholz's visit to China, Maul, a senior researcher at the German Institute for International Security, said, "Economic relations between Germany and China, which had been strengthened until now, are being affected by the conflict between the United States and China. The Prime Minister's concern is to separate politics from the economy and normalize economic cooperation with China, including trade and investment," he said, confirming his policy of maintaining economic relations with China even as political confrontation between the West and China continues. It shows the view that this is the aim.



In addition, he said that the Prime Minister's having company executives accompany him on the visit "signals the importance of the economy." He points out that he places importance on trade with



Regarding the administration's policy toward China, he said, "There is no unified stance. One side wants to normalize relations with China and concentrate on economic cooperation, while the other side is critical of China and wants to reduce dependence and diversify investment. "There are two positions," he said, pointing out that this visit gave priority to the position of emphasizing economic relations.



On the other hand, regarding the fact that this visit will be right after Chinese President Xi Jinping entered his unusual third term as the top Communist Party leader, he commented, It creates an appropriate image," he said, adding that he fears that Germany alone will be criticized for prioritizing economic interests as Europe's wariness of China rises.

China expert: China-Germany relationship is a stabilizing device for G7

Regarding German Chancellor Scholz's visit to China, Professor Wang Yi*Guy of the School of International Relations, Renmin University of China, who is familiar with bilateral relations, said, "This is the beginning of a new bilateral relationship."



On top of that, he said, "China and Germany can cooperate in many fields such as medicine and vaccines. While German companies need the Chinese market, China needs Germany's advanced know-how." He stressed that deepening the relationship would be of great benefit to both parties.



Regarding Prime Minister Scholz's meeting with President Xi Jinping, who has entered an unusual third term as the top of the Communist Party, Professor Wang said, "China and Germany's cooperation is important. It has long been a model for China, the EU and the G7, and the relationship between China and Germany is a stabilizing device for the G7."



For China, by strengthening its relationship with Chancellor Scholz following former Chancellor Merkel, it aims to drive a wedge in the unity of Western countries, which are becoming more wary of China over human rights issues and maritime expansion. It seems that there is.



※Guy is "dangerous" instead of "tree"