Merkel visit amid mixed expectations

The majority of the more than 100 German companies active in the region are in the fields of engineering and the high-tech sector. The composition of the business delegation suggests that German companies are keen to expand cooperation especially in these fields. However, many of the big corporations have increased their focus on renewables - a win-win field for cooperation that China is very interested in. A possible deal on recycling could contribute to the overall cooperation in sustainable development. Merkel will also open a conference on urbanization in Chengdu - another field that China and Germany are cooperating on.

Not only cooperation in sustainable development looks promising. Germany's successful dual education system has already been put into practice in several Chinese cities, such as Nanjing by Bosch and Siemens, for a few years. It is likely to be further expanded following Merkel's visit. The Volkswagen Group declared in July 2013 to bring the German dual education system to all their plants in China - Merkel's visit to the Chengdu plant could initiate the transfer. A cooperation center on training of instructors already exists in Chongqing.

To complete her visit, Merkel would meet members of the German-Chinese Dialogue Board. Other items on her itinerary are a visit to a project that takes care of migrant workers' children in Chengdu, a speech addressed to students of Tsinghua University and a visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing where Li and her delegation will meet German and Chinese students, which will formally conclude the German-Chinese Language Year of 2013-14.

Despite the importance of Sino-German economic and trade relations, Merkel's visit comes at a time when numerous global trouble spots could offer the opportunity to expand bilateral political cooperation. And decisions taken by Xi and Merkel will decide whether this visit will push relations to a higher level or whether it will be business as usual.

The author is a researcher with the EU-Asia Centre.

(China Daily 07/07/2014 page9)