China.Table Special: Scholz in Beijing

Despite the unfortunate timing immediately after the party congress, despite the frighteningly increasing rivalry, despite the haste with which the appointments were completed: It was fundamentally right for the chancellor to seek talks with Xi Jinping. Germany’s interests are closely intertwined with China. Not only economically. China is a player in the Ukraine conflict, even if it hides its true position behind phrases and plays a rather inglorious role on balance. In addition, there are other common issues such as climate protection and pandemic control.

Scholz was under a lot of pressure not to turn his visit to Xi into a feel-good visit. In theory, that would have been the easy way out for him. However, anyone who uncritically enters Beijing’s embrace may have a great China visit like Donald Trump in 2017. But neither side has anything to gain from this. Neither was China forewarned of the trade policy salvos the US would fire. Nor was Trump able to negotiate any improvements for his companies on the spot.

It was, therefore, just as right of German society, business, the media and their high-ranking representatives to force Scholz onto a more critical course. Although he is not comfortable with direct confrontation, Scholz went beyond Angela Merkel’s authoritative tone. He openly mentioned Taiwan, market access, human rights and the situation of the Uyghurs, and of course, Russian aggression. He put Xi in a clear position on the use of nuclear weapons.

A complete success was not to be expected; the relationship with China is currently too difficult for that. However, the visit was a small success, making Scholz and Germany look less naive.

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Finn Mayer-Kuckuk