In the wake of the U.S. push for “supply chain decoupling” and “chip export restrictions” against China, many might conclude that the East has once again had its fate seized by the West, with no power to break free.

Compounded by the pandemic’s ongoing “unforeseen complications,” the “east wind” seems to be growing weaker and colder by the day.

However, German Chancellor Scholz’s visit has come as a genuine surprise. What is surprising is not the visit itself, but the form it took.

This is the first time a Western power has paid a visit of this nature.

German Chancellor’s “Fruitful Visit”

First, Scholz brought along half of Germany’s business community.

Before his visit to China, he held a “selection process” at home, choosing the 12 strongest companies from over 100 applicants.

Such a lineup clearly demonstrates the high priority placed on this visit.

Second, the itinerary for Scholz’s visit was meticulously tailored to align with China’s COVID-19 prevention policies.

He underwent two COVID-19 tests before takeoff.

Upon landing, he underwent a PCR test on the plane before being transferred to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Only after the test results came back did he proceed to the Great Hall of the People to begin the meeting.

This is the first time we’ve seen a European head of state voluntarily adhere to a “two tests in three days” protocol.

Earlier this year, when the French president visited Russia, he refused to undergo a PCR test, forcing Putin to set up a 4-meter-long table between them to prevent infection.

Now, during Scholz’s visit to China, he voluntarily took a PCR test on the plane—a level of cooperation that is simply worlds apart.

Europeans, who have long held themselves in high regard, are now strictly adhering to China’s epidemic prevention policies. If they weren’t seeking something from the East—if the “East Wind” weren’t overwhelming the “West Wind”—why would they go to such great lengths?

The ducks know first when the spring river waters warm.

According to foreign media reports, French President Macron once proposed traveling with Scholz, only to find that the latter flatly refused.

Amid the energy crisis, Germany’s economy is already teetering on the brink—how could it possibly spare the resources to help France shoulder its burdens?

The Real Economy Sees a Ray of Hope

The government sets the stage; enterprises take the lead.

Promoting high-quality development ultimately depends on market entities. The 12 German companies accompanying the delegation all have close ties with China.

Chemical giant BASF announced it will invest 10 billion euros to build a new “integrated base” in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. This marks the largest single investment in the group’s history.

The Volkswagen Group also announced plans to invest approximately 2.4 billion euros to establish a joint venture with Horizon Robotics, a Chinese smart chip company.

In June of this year, BMW invested over 2 billion euros to open its third plant in Shenyang. In October, BMW revealed it would invest an additional 10 billion yuan to expand its battery projects in China.

Germany’s commitment to the real economy once set it apart in Europe, but under the impact of the energy crisis, the real economy has instead become the biggest victim, prompting German companies to turn their attention to China.

One has already made a bold bet, two are gearing up, and seven are cautiously watching from the sidelines.

For investment promoters, the ability to seize this opportunity to encourage more German corporate giants to “step up” their investments in China—and to effectively apply and absorb Germany’s advanced technologies—holds extraordinary significance.

At the same time, we should pay closer attention to the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, which represents over 900,000 companies.

Compared to the giants, these SMEs may be small in scale, but they often occupy key links in the industrial chain and possess certain comparative advantages within their industries.

Moreover, their requirements for production factors and preferential policies are not as demanding as those of the giants.

Therefore, for the vast majority of county-level cities, the investment opportunities presented here are better suited to local conditions and easier to seize.

In his report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the General Secretary emphasized, “We must persist in focusing our efforts on the real economy.”

It is the mission of every investment promotion professional to help more real-economy enterprises understand China, invest in China, and deepen their roots in China, thereby achieving better development through higher-level opening-up.

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Compared to the “face” of frequent inspections and respectful visits, this is the “substance” we truly need.

Only by providing this “substance” can Scholz maintain his “face.”

I still recall that this past September, when chemical giant BASF announced additional investments in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, Scholz repeatedly cautioned against “over-reliance on cooperation with China.”

But over the past six months, Scholz has experienced firsthand what the German economy has gone through.

Having endured six months of hardship and traveled all the way to China, he has finally experienced what it feels like to stand on equal footing as a partner. He truly owes a debt of gratitude to this Eastern powerhouse, which is wholeheartedly committed to development.

"Walking the Talk" on Peaceful Development

Since the 20th CPC National Congress, Beijing has been bustling with activity.

Leaders from Vietnam, Pakistan, and Tanzania have visited China in succession—a sequence that is actually quite significant.

Stabilizing the South China Sea, developing relations with neighboring countries, accelerating the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthening China-Africa cooperation—these efforts are laying a solid foundation for medium- and long-term development strategies.

Germany, however, was the fourth country to be invited—and the first from the EU and indeed the entire Western world—which has firmly established Germany’s standing within the European camp.

China’s goodwill toward Germany also stems from the hope that Germany will play a leading role in China-EU cooperation—an unspoken understanding between the two sides.

Scholz, disregarding internal opposition, approved the acquisition of shares in the Port of Hamburg by a Chinese company, which also demonstrated this goodwill.

Of course, China waited until the German government had approved the acquisition by the Chinese company before announcing Scholz’s visit to China.

Objectively speaking, against the backdrop of a restructuring of the world order, the successful interaction between China and Germany serves as a stabilizing force for globalization.

As ordinary citizens, perhaps we should count ourselves fortunate to be born in this Eastern powerhouse that cherishes peace and is dedicated to development.

As investment promoters, we should act swiftly: start by identifying corporate investment intentions, conduct on-site research into corporate development, and exchange investment promotion experiences with market-oriented agencies—all to put the call for “vigorously developing the real economy” into practice.