Scholz of Germany Touches Down in China Amidst Trade Strains and Ukraine Conflict

 

Iran has initiated a massive assault on Israel by launching numerous aerial drones and missiles, in what was a highly anticipated retaliatory strike. This marks the first direct confrontation between the two long-standing adversaries, who have been involved in a covert conflict for years, with Iran utilizing proxy forces. The Israeli military reported that Israel, along with other nations, successfully intercepted over 300 cruise missiles and drones, the majority of which were outside Israeli airspace. Although minimal damage was inflicted, Israel cautioned its citizens to remain vigilant.

 

President Joe Biden of the United States condemned the attack strongly, stating that the U.S. had assisted Israel in neutralizing the majority of the missiles and drones. He highlighted that Iran and its proxies from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq had carried out an unprecedented aerial assault on Israeli military installations. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated that the attack was directed at specific targets.

 

Iran had promised to retaliate following an attack on its consulate in Syria on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC officers, including a senior commander. While Iran accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, Israel neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowed to emerge victorious in the face of adversity, although the exact nature of Israel's response remains uncertain. President Biden reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to Israel's security.

 

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), mentioned that some Iranian missiles had struck within Israeli territory, causing minor damage to a military base but no casualties. The ambulance service in Israel reported that a seven-year-old Bedouin girl sustained injuries from shrapnel in the southern Arad region. Mr. Hagari described the widespread attack as a significant escalation and emphasized that Israel and its allies had mobilized fully to safeguard the nation.

 

In a separate press conference, he stated that Iran had launched over 300 projectiles at Israel overnight, with 99% of them being successfully intercepted. He also mentioned that some of the launches originated from Iraq and Yemen. 

 

BEIJING (AP) — On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in China for a visit that primarily focuses on the increasingly strained economic relationship between the two countries, as well as their differences regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

 

Scholz's first stop was the industrial hub of Chongqing, where he, along with his delegation of ministers and business leaders, planned to visit a company that received partial funding from Germany, as well as other sites in the extensive city, which serves as a production base for China's automotive and other industries.

 

During his three-day visit, Scholz is also scheduled to visit Shanghai, the financial center, before heading to Beijing, the capital, to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

 

German companies, such as BMW and Volkswagen, heavily rely on the Chinese market, despite the tensions arising from Beijing's support for Russia, which has caused friction with the West.

 

Germany's economy has greatly benefited from China's demand for investment and manufactured goods, ranging from cars to chemicals. However, these ties have become strained due to increased competition from Chinese companies and stricter regulations. Political interference has also been cited as a reason for a significant decline in foreign investment.

 

German companies have argued that they face unfair barriers in the Chinese market, leading the government to advocate for a "de-risking" policy to reduce dependence on the Chinese market and suppliers.

 

Nevertheless, China remained Germany's top trading partner for the eighth consecutive year in 2023, with a total exchange of goods and services amounting to 254.1 billion euros ($271 billion) between the two sides, slightly surpassing Germany's trade with the United States.

 

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of Scholz disembarking from his plane in Chongqing and departing in a motorcade, but did not include any statements made to the welcoming delegation.

 

Before coming, Scholz shared on social media platform X that he had talked about the "massive" Russian air strikes on civilian energy infrastructure with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, and affirmed that Berlin will "unwaveringly support Ukraine."

 

China has declined to condemn Russian aggression. It has upheld trade ties with President Vladimir Putin's administration and synchronized its foreign policy with Moscow against the U.S.-led liberal political system, while promoting its authoritarian single-party system as a better alternative.