German media, scholars laud Xi's visit for promoting bilateral ties, global cooperation

BERLIN -- German media and scholars have spoken highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country for promoting bilateral ties and global cooperation.

Xi paid a state visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin and attended the 12th G20 summit in Hamburg on July 4-8.

Leading German newspapers and magazines have reported the talks between Xi and Merkel, and Xi's speech at the summit with front-page headlines and cover stories.

Merkel referred to "the times of world turmoil" and said that Germany and China could contribute to its appeasement, said Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The German government sees China as a reliable partner, said Frankfurt Rundschau.

While the influence of some countries has decreased, Germany and China together have the biggest playing field to push forward global goals under G20. The more both speak with one voice, the higher is the possibility for the summit to be successful, said Handelsblatt.

Professor Thomas Heberer, a well-known China watcher from Germany's Duisburg-Essen University, said Xi took up "the major role" to promote a cooperative and open world economy.

German journalist and publisher Magrit Manz who had worked in China, called China "a reliable and sober partner under G20", saying the country's economic image worldwide has improved through its "Belt and Road Initiative" and the synergy of "Made in China 2025" and "Industry 4.0" strategies.

Professor Dennis Snower, president of Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy, said Xi's proposals on G20 members' cooperation in digital economy and the new industrial revolution are "of great importance", which require the joint action of developed and developing countries under the multilateral framework.

Fan Xuan, editor-in-chief of Europe Times based in Hamburg, said that the two popular pandas arriving in Berlin ahead of Xi's visit made the two countries more connected and culturally integrated.