Overview
- Lars Klingbeil delivered a calibrated message in China that maintained access while raising critical issues.
- Chinese state media portrayed the trip as weakness and suggested Germany must return to reality.
- The finance minister coordinated his stance with the chancellor and EU leadership to present a consistent line.
- Klingbeil spoke at Peking University, but analysts say Beijing remains unmoved on fair competition and support for Russia.
- The coverage notes Xi Jinping sees only the United States under President Donald Trump as a peer, with Europe treated as middle powers.