More common interests

Tapping the potential of their complementary economies will further strengthen relations between China and Germany

This year not only marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, it also marks the 10th anniversary of the publication of China's first European Union policy paper, which spelled out the objectives for China's EU policy and outlined plans and measures for bilateral cooperation. So Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Europe as part of his first overseas trip since taking office is of great significance.

Germany is the second European stop on Premier Li's first overseas trip. Since China and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1972 leaders of the two countries have been meeting frequently. During former Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Germany in 2004, the two countries announced the launch of the China-Germany partnership with global responsibility within the framework of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to establish an annual meeting mechanism between the two heads of state. During German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to China in 2010, the two countries released a joint communiqu on comprehensively promoting their strategic partnership, and agreed to establish a governmental consultation mechanism between both countries, the first and highest such mechanism between China and a Western country.

Merkel was the first foreign leader to talk to Li after he became premier in March. In their telephone conversation Li said he would like to maintain close contact with Merkel so as to jointly enhance cooperation between the two countries in all sectors and further promote bilateral relations.

However, some people in Europe have complained that the Sino-German "special relationship" has affected the EU's policymaking on China, and some have even argued that Berlin is gradually replacing the role of Brussels in steering the EU's China policy. Such claims are ridiculous. In today's world, any kind of bilateral relationship is unique and therefore can be labeled a special relationship. Germany will never develop its relations with China at the cost of the interests of the EU.