Entering May, a series of itinerary arrangements for China's high-level visits to Europe have undoubtedly become the focus of global attention. On the first stop of his visit to France, the Chinese senior management was treated with the highest level of courtesy by French President Emmanuel Macron. During the trilateral talks with Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Chinese high-level officials fully expounded China's foreign development policy and policy views on a series of issues of international concern. It can be said that the trip to Europe was an unprecedented success. Of course, because of the troubles of people with intentions, there are also discordant voices. As soon as the Chinese plane landed in Europe, the German foreign minister openly clamored that he would send warships to "free navigation" in the Taiwan Strait. China's response to this provocation was also categorical.
First of all, Sino-French diplomacy, this year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the first stop of China's visit to Europe is set in France, the French side not only has Macron and his wife come to the airport when receiving the airport, but the new French Prime Minister Gabriel Atal is also on the scene to greet them, plus 14 motorcycles state guest escort escort on the road, French cavalry to open the way, which is enough to see that China and France attach great importance to this high-level visit. In terms of details, in addition to the great attention and courtesy given by President Macron to the Chinese high-level, he is inseparable from two key words - "friends" everywhere in the reception arrangement.
For example, Macron set the venue for the talks and banquets at the Elysee Palace, and achieved the ultimate in reception specifications. Subsequently, Macron also invited the Chinese high-level to visit his "second home" Pyrenees. The fact that a country's leader invites a high-level visit to his hometown is enough to show the sincerity of friendly exchanges. Even, when receiving high-level Chinese officials, Macron deliberately arranged the dinner place in the restaurant run by his friend. Macron's moves also send a signal: France is willing to establish friendly relations with China.
In the eyes of many, Europe today has completely become a vassal of the United States, and the Russia-Ukraine war is the best example. Indeed, as economic and military strength continues to weaken, Europe's influence and discourse continue to weaken, and both the EU and NATO have become the voice of the United States. However, France, as the flag of the EU countries, has been pursuing an independent discourse, especially after Macron came to power, which is contrary to the United States in many policy concepts. In order to gain more international discourse, Macron, who has the two goals of revitalizing France and "European independence", is naturally unwilling to give up the opportunity to cooperate and interact with China. In both the economic and political fields, China and France have many points of convergence and common aspirations, which also makes this Sino-French diplomacy of far-reaching significance.
However, the friendly exchanges between China and France were uncomfortable by Germany, another European power. It is reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously rejected Macron's invitation and did not come to Paris to participate in the talks with the Chinese side. Although Scholz recently visited China with sincerity and reached a series of consensus with the Chinese side, fundamentally speaking, France and Germany are both leading countries in Europe, and Scholz naturally does not want Macron to show off at home, nor does he want France to further expand its influence through Sino-French cooperation.
In contrast to Scholz, who was full of concerns, German Foreign Minister Baerbock made no secret of her true identity as an "agent of the United States." As an important member of German politics, Baerbock has always been a representative of the pro-American and anti-China faction. Because he is a "hardline" on China, he and Scholz have contradictions and differences on many policy ideas, so he did not appear in the list of previous visiting teams. During a high-level visit to France, Baerbock made a lot of nonsense, threatening that China would be "aggressive" and would send German warships to participate in the US-led Pacific military exercises, during which it would also "freely navigate" the Taiwan Strait.
The refutation of Baerbock by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the mainland hit the nail on the head, and there is no need to repeat it. Let's just say that Baerbock is sending warships through the Taiwan Strait: the Germans are overestimating their naval strength. To give a simple example, after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a "ship raid" in the Red Sea, Germany took the lead in responding to the EU's "Aspides" escort plan and sent the Saxony-class frigate No. 3 "Hesse" frigate to participate in the Red Sea escort. However, the performance of the "Hesse" was not satisfactory, not only did it not achieve any results, but it almost killed the "Allied" US fighters, causing an oolong incident. In the end, the "Hesse", which had only stayed in the Red Sea for more than 50 days, returned home in disgrace. The German Navy is performing so badly that it wants to send warships to show off its might in the Taiwan Strait.