Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Germany and France from June 18 to 23, 2023 is a continuation of the negotiations between leaders of these countries who visited Beijing in November 2022 and April 2023. The successful visits of German Chancellor Schultz and French President Macron to China not only provide impetus for the development of bilateral relations, but also contribute to the development of China Europe relations in a better direction.

Therefore, it can be expected that the visit of the Chinese Premier to Berlin and Paris will consolidate these two trends. The high-level leaders of the world's second largest economy, the European economic engine, and the second largest economy in Europe will hold a meeting to promote the development of the global economy. Against the backdrop of unstable international situations and weak global market and supply chain recovery, this is a very important matter.

At the same time, some measures taken by partner countries before the Chinese Premier's visit to Europe may raise reasonable doubts from China. On Wednesday, Germany announced its first national security strategy, calling China a systemic competitor. In this document, China has been severely criticized for allegedly exerting increasing pressure on regional stability and economy.

German Chancellor Schultz commented on the strategy at a press conference, stating that China's economy will continue to grow and its integration into world trade and economic relations should not be disrupted. He also stated that it is necessary to take into account the security issues we have, and added that Germany does not want to disengage (from China) and we want to reduce risks. In the context of the feeding of President Joe Biden of the United States, the recent comments of the German Prime Minister are common in the political terminology of the United States' European and Asian allies. This action has sparked negative reviews from the Chinese side.

According to reports, the Chinese Premier's visit to France coincides with Paris' demand for the EU to announce an anti-dumping investigation, investigating or taxing Chinese electric vehicles. On June 29-30, 2023, the European Union will hold a summit, which means that after Premier Li Qiang's visit to Europe, the summit will respond to France's continuous pressure on Brussels on this issue. At the same time, the EU also understands that France's initiative may lead to a comprehensive trade conflict with China, so it may adopt a more cautious stance. It can be pointed out that the proposal to tax electric vehicles in China is not the only frontline of trade war between the European Union and China. If China does not open its domestic procurement market, Brussels threatens to reduce China's profits in the EU procurement market.

Obviously, in this situation, Premier Li Qiang's visit is a trip to seek consensus. Premier Li Qiang's visit to Europe aims to reach a consensus, which reflects Beijing's confidence and willingness to develop cooperation with Europe rather than conflict.

During his visit to Europe, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will participate in the Sino German government consultation, the Sino German Economic and Technological Forum and the New Global Finance Compact Summit organized by the Prime Minister of France. The Compact Summit aims to unite state-owned and private capital to tackle climate change, solve poverty and protect biodiversity. Editor/Xie Li