Between Self-reflection and Distrust: German-China Government Consultations Begin

For the first time in five years, German-Chinese government consultations are taking place in person. Chinese Premier Li will have to grapple with a different German China policy in Berlin. The visit of China’s Premier Li Qiang to Germany is not yet a major issue in the People’s Republic. On Thursday, government spokesperson Wang Wenbin made a brief announcement of the trip.

Even in state media, the German-Chinese government consultations are hardly mentioned, nor is the fact that the coalition governing Germany – consisting of the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats – is significantly more critical of China’s leadership than the Grand Coalition under Angela Merkel. The signs have changed.

The Relationship Has Become Complicated

China and Germany are, in the view of political scientist Wu Qiang, in a phase of self-reflection, and in a phase of mutual distrust. According to Wu, “The distrust between China and Germany concerns issues such as Taiwan, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the relationship with the United States, and the question of how German-Chinese economic relations will continue.” China is Germany’s largest trading partner, but the political environment is increasingly challenging for German companies in China.

Questions about National Security Strategy

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will likely have many questions about the expected German China strategy and the National Security Strategy that the German government presented last week and in which China was mentioned six times. China’s leadership regards it critically because they see it as another proof that democratically governed states worldwide are increasingly feeling threatened by China’s nationalist policies.

China’s Interests in the Asia-Pacific Region

China perceives that Germany is increasingly interested in the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese leadership views the region as its sphere of influence. Therefore, they view it critically that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced in early June that German Navy ships will again be sent to the region next year. This is also expected to be a topic at the German-Chinese government consultations in Berlin.