Merkel visit shows how partnership with Beijing can pay off
China and Germany may have their differences but a show of respect and willingness to cooperate enabled sensitive issues to be raised, including meetings with the wives of two jailed human rights lawyers
China and Germany have their differences. Yet Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent visit, her 11th as German leader, showed how through an approach of partnership rather than containment, sensitive issues can still be raised.
A relationship of mutual respect has been built that was evident during meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
Cooperation and coordination on a range of areas has ensured a healthy relationship that will be of benefit to both sides and, at a time of American unilateralism, the world.
Xi and Merkel have strong personal ties. China is Germany’s biggest trading partner and Beijing needs Berlin’s help in gaining better access to European markets and with the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
US President Donald Trump’s increasingly difficult relations with both as a result of trade disputes and his disregard for multilateral deals is pushing them ever closer. Understandably, then, free trade, the Group of 20 nations and the Iran nuclear deal were among issues discussed during Merkel’s two-day trip.