Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has arrived in Beijing for his first visit to the People’s Republic as German head of government. His plane landed at the airport in the Chinese capital on Friday morning local time. After his arrival, the first thing on the program was a reception by Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping.
Scholz is the first Western head of government to meet Xi Jinping since the outbreak of the corona pandemic more than two years ago. Because of the continued strict corona restrictions in China, Scholz’s visit lasts only eleven hours, making it shorter than any other chancellor’s trip to the world’s most populous country before. Almost two weeks ago, Xi was re-elected as head of state and party leader in the communist country.
Contribution to World Peace in “Times of Change and Chaos”
The talks on Friday in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing will focus primarily on bilateral relations, the geopolitical upheaval caused by the Ukraine war and tensions over Taiwan. At their meeting, Xi Jinping told the German leader his visit will boost mutual trust, adding that both sides should work together to contribute to world peace and development in “times of change and chaos,” the newspaper is quoted as saying Bloomberg news agency the state broadcaster CCTV.
It is good that you can get together directly in the difficult times, said Scholz at the beginning of the conversation. The Federal Chancellor announced that “of course” it would also be about the questions “where we pursue different perspectives”. That is “the goal of a good exchange”. The Russian attack on Ukraine brings problems for the rules-based world order, he stressed. Discussions with the Chinese leadership are also important, for example, about the fight against man-made climate change and hunger in the world. Alluding to the high Chinese loans to developing countries, Scholz added: “We must ensure that the world does not suffer from the fact that the debt is very high.”
Xi: Leave differences aside
Xi, whose government course has been heavily criticized in Western countries in particular, expressed hope that the Chancellor’s visit will deepen mutual trust and cooperation between China and Germany. Both sides should observe the principles of mutual respect and the search for common ground and leave differences aside. The exchange, learning from each other and cooperation for the benefit of both sides should be maintained.
Under the circumstances, ties could develop in an unbiased and stable direction, as demonstrated by the five decades since diplomatic relations between West Germany and the People’s Republic of China were established, Xi said, according to a report by Chinese state television. The international situation is “complex and changeable”.
The visit takes place under strict corona measures, as China is still pursuing a strict zero-Covid strategy. Xi Jinping greeted the chancellor without a mask, but there was no handshake. The two also sat opposite each other at two long tables at a distance. Scholz and his delegation move in a hermetically sealed “bubble”.
At a safe distance: China’s head of state and party leader Xi and Chancellor Scholz.
(Photo: POOL/via REUTERS)
Meeting with local business representatives
Since the beginning of the pandemic almost three years ago, the Chancellor has been the first head of government of the group of large industrialized nations (G7) to visit China again. During his visit, he will also meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who will leave office in March. The Chancellor is accompanied by around a dozen top managers, including the CEOs of Volkswagen, BMW, BASF, Bayer and Deutsche Bank. Scholz will also meet local company representatives in Beijing.
The timing of the trip so soon after the party congress where Xi Jinping further expanded his power is disputed. Chinese dissidents and the World Uyghur Congress had even called for it to be cancelled. Shortly before his departure, Scholz had Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung announced a new course towards China. “It is clear that if China changes, the way we deal with China must also change.”
Scholz also wants to address “difficult issues” such as human rights issues and dealing with minorities during his talks in Beijing. Scholz expressed concern about the situation around Taiwan and indirectly warned China of an invasion.
This article is continuously updated.
Scholz is the first leader of the group of large industrialized nations (G7) to visit China again after the pandemic.
(Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa)
The talks take place in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
(Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa)