Xinhua News Review | Strengthening Cooperation between China and Germany is Good News for the World

In the middle of spring, all things flourish. German Chancellor Scholz concluded his three-day official visit to China on the 16th. During his visit to China, Scholz's visits to Chongqing, Shanghai, and Beijing each focused on showcasing Germany's willingness to continue promoting cooperation with China in areas such as green technology, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The consensus reached by Chinese and German leaders on important international issues is of great significance for both sides to further expand cooperation between China and Germany and China Europe, and strengthen strategic coordination in various fields.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, the two countries have maintained a high level of development and close high-level exchanges. Former German Chancellor Merkel has visited China every year for many consecutive years. The Frankfurt Report of Germany stated in an article titled "A Journey Very Similar to the Merkel Era" that "the current German Chancellor's China policy is a continuation of his predecessor.".

In recent years, Chongqing Urban Vocational College has partnered with the German GFM Education Group to jointly establish the Sino German Industrial College, introducing advanced experience from German vocational education, and focusing on cultivating high-quality skilled technical talents suitable for the needs of manufacturing enterprises. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Quanchao

Prime Minister Scholz has a strong follow-up lineup, in addition to cabinet ministers, there are also executives from multiple German companies such as Siemens, Mercedes Benz, Bayer, BMW, etc. Scholz said that he and representatives from the German business community have personally experienced the tremendous achievements made by China's economic development, and are deeply impressed by the close and good cooperation between the business communities of Germany and China.

According to the German Business Daily, the competition for seats in the visiting delegation is very fierce in the German business community. Scholz's visit to China brought a large business delegation, which not only saw the huge potential of the Chinese market, but also showed that Germany and even the European business community are looking forward to further tightening the interest ties with China and deepening practical cooperation.

Pragmatic cooperation is the foundation of China Germany relations, and mutual benefit and win-win are the distinctive features of China Germany relations. Both China and Germany have benefited greatly from each other's development. Germany has been China's largest trading partner in Europe for 49 consecutive years, while China has remained Germany's world's largest trading partner for 8 consecutive years. Both China and Germany are based on industry and support free trade and economic globalization. The industrial and supply chains of China and Germany are deeply intertwined, and the markets of the two countries are highly dependent. The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is not a risk, but a guarantee for the stability of the bilateral relationship and an opportunity to create the future. Max Cenlein, Chief Economist of the Mercator China Institute, a German think tank, said, "We haven't seen any signs of German companies' de risk '. Their investment in China has remained stable at a record high level. According to data from the Federal Bank of Germany, Germany's direct investment in China increased by 4.3% last year, reaching 11.9 billion euros.".

On March 21st, Chinese and German students jointly experienced the painting of a mud tiger. On that day, a middle school student from Magdeburg, Germany, who was on a friendly visit to Qingdao No. 9 Middle School in Shandong Province, participated in a unique traditional cultural and artistic practice class. Together with Chinese friends, they experienced intangible cultural heritage customs, practiced the foundation of Chinese painting, and learned about traditional Chinese culture. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ziheng

The mutually beneficial cooperation between Chinese and German enterprises promotes bilateral trade growth, accelerates technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and provides strong impetus for the sustainable development of the two countries' economies. Whether it is traditional fields such as mechanical manufacturing and automobiles, or emerging fields such as green transformation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, both countries have enormous potential for cooperation and win-win cooperation that urgently needs to be explored. During the visit, Scholz visited Bosch Hydrogen Power Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. to learn about hydrogen fuel cell solutions; Investigating the collaboration between the School of Optoelectronics at Chongqing University and the Kurt Schwab Institute of Measurement and Sensor Technology in Germany to develop a chip for monitoring water pollutants; Visit the German company Covestro Asia Pacific Innovation Center dedicated to green and sustainable technologies. In terms of innovative technology research and development, climate change, and renewable energy development, China and Germany both have the willingness and conditions for pragmatic cooperation and two-way cooperation.

Three days and three cities, Schultz's visit will help enhance political mutual trust between China and Germany and expand cooperation space. The relationship between China and Germany goes beyond bilateral scope and has important strategic significance for the Eurasian continent and even the whole world. Against the backdrop of the current turbulent international situation and rampant protectionism, the world's second and third largest economies are jointly sending positive signals to strengthen cooperation and boost the world economy, which is good news for the world. I believe that China and Germany can respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, exchange and learn from each other, and cooperate for mutual benefit, injecting more stability and certainty into the world.