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China received a visit from: Markus Söder. The Prime Minister of Bavaria was on a long trip this week. A conservative, six days in the Middle Kingdom.

Markus Söder on the Chinese Wall:


»So! What do we see here now?”

Of course, Markus Söder wouldn't be Markus Söder if he didn't think about the photographers every step of the way on a trip like this - even if it can take a moment. Of course, his social media channels are also important.



Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister in a social media video:


“We have now landed here in Beijing, and at the beginning – what do you get? Fortune cookies! Let's see if this is a good omen for the trip. »The will shapes people. However, success requires courage and perseverance." Fits Bavaria, right?"

It is not known how many cookies were needed for this post.

His irregular posts with the hashtag “#söderisst” are also popular among fans. A tradition that the Bavarian Prime Minister has maintained since the recent state election campaign. Where else knuckle, white sausage or schnitzel usually symbolize the “right to eat meat,” which is apparently essential for Söder, his journey in the Far East begins with praise for spicy Szechuan noodles and twice-cooked pork belly. But a little surprise on this topic later.

Station 1: Pandaland

What would a trip to China be for a German politician without a visit to a panda breeding station? Definitely less cozy. But here too it's all about Söder's favorite topic.

Reporter:


"We just heard: A panda eats 25 to 30 kilos a day, vegetarian, vegan - would that be something for you?"

Markus Söder:


»Yes, in that respect a panda is probably not a real Bavarian. I don't think it would be for me. But they are beautiful and very, very cute animals.

Station 2: Platform edge

As is well known, Söder's predecessor Edmund Stoiber dreamed of a magnetic levitation train between Munich city center and the airport. You can probably keep dreaming!

Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister:


»Very quiet! Very quiet!"

While testing of the technology in Germany was stopped in 2011, you can now actually drive it in China. After all, a Bavarian construction company is involved in the test track in Chengdu - that's something!

Station 3: Home evening

Well, sure. This really shouldn't be missed, a Bavarian evening in Chengdu, China. This is where you can really emphasize your own strengths.

Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister:


"... we also have the best beer, the best food, yes, and a beautiful life."

Here the Chinese wanted to show that they can also make sausage salad and roast pork - or at least something similar. However, reporters who traveled with us report that the quality of the food was the worst on this evening during Söder's trip. There are things that only Bayern can do really well.

Station 4: Cadre factory

Markus Söder was awarded an honorary professorship at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Combined with the invitation to give a lecture here in the next three years. That all sounds very nice. But you should also know that Tsinghua University is definitely a training ground for the Chinese regime.

Station 5: Audience

A reception that is rather unusual for the simple prime minister of a federal state, even if his name is Söder and he governs Bavaria: because the Chinese prime minister is likely to have a little more power. Li Qiang is the second man in the state. The fact that a politician of this caliber received him must have raised Söder's inner spirit to roughly Franz Josef Strauss level. There had been talk about reducing trade barriers, it was said afterwards in a statesmanlike manner.

Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister:


“Um, I’ll go down a few steps, right?”

So the entire trip was a complete success? Not quite! Markus Söder had to break with a tradition and modify his favorite section. When it came to grilled scorpions and millipedes, as well as chicken feet, duck tongues and rabbit heads, people said for the first time: "Söder doesn't eat that." But Chinese people who live in Bavaria can breathe a sigh of relief: such dishes are apparently not banned anyway.