Expectations by sinophobe geopoliticians that German Economics Minister Katherina Reiche would show a confrontational approach in her talks with Chinese leaders were held in vain. During her visit to China on May 27-28, Reiche positioned herself in favor of constructive dialogue and cooperation and against trying to make pressure against the Chinese along the approach of the EU Commission. In Beijing, Reiche met with Trade Minister Wang Wentao and other key figures in the Chinese government; some, like Vice Minister Zhou Haibing—who heads the National Development and Reform Commission—only had time for her at the last minute, but apparently, the meeting went well. The commission sets the five-year plans and thus determines which key industries the state will support. She spoke with Vice Premier He Lifeng for significantly longer than planned, which her ministry sees as a clear sign that China values the German delegation. The talks were reportedly productive, focusing on raw material shortages and supply chains—much more the mainstream media could not learn. The Reiche approach, which included a lot of praise for China’s achievements in economics and technology, was continued in Guangzhou.
It is good to focus on trusting, long-term relationships, which must be strengthened and consolidated in turbulent times, Reiche continued during her meeting with Huang Kunming, the Party Secretary of Guangdong Province. She spoke positively about the discussions held with high-ranking government officials the previous day in Beijing. “We indeed had a very, very long exchange on a wide range of topics in an atmosphere that was decidedly constructive, friendly, open, and characterized by mutual understanding,” she said.
