German entrepreneur sees Xi's visit an opportunity for Germany, Europe

[File photo: baidu.com]

After his stop in Russia, President Xi Jinping will also pay a state visit to Germany and attend a Group of 20 summit in Hamburg.

Ahead of his arrival, a German entrepreneur has expressed his expectations.

CRI's Yu Yang has more.

Ulrich Deupmann is a partner and office head with Brunswick Group GmbH.

He says President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Germany is a new moment that will create momentum for German and European development.

"What we see is the series of visits that members of the Chinese government have done to Berlin and to Germany during last months. It was well received. We had the foreign minister here and we had the prime minister here. Now Xi Jinping is here for a bilateral visit and then for the G20 Summit, which shows the amount of interest and the intensity that China's government is laying into the relations to Germany and to Europe. And we all feel that this is a new moment and is creating a momentum that we should really take to new dynamics during the next years." 

Deupmann also mentioned the Chinese President's speech at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

He says China's growing influence in Europe has brought about obvious geopolitical changes. 

"As you see the dramatic geopolitical changes, we see China appearing to play a positive role and constructive approach. And, for example, the speech of Xi Jinping in Davos, it was highly appreciated by many politicians I know in the West. They saw China is changing and is playing a more constructive role which automatically will lead to a more influential position." 

The entrepreneur also connected China's Belt and Road Initiative with geopolitical development.

In his mind, the initiative is a neutral one which provides new opportunities for both his country and Europe as a whole.

"This initiative is really, a key initiative in terms of geopolitical development. I just participated in a conference last week in the foreign office, especially on the 'New Silk Road' initiative, where people from business and ambassadors, were talking about the opportunities, and we all feel this is a neutral initiative to the benefit of both parts. Knowing that China is increasing its geopolitical influence, but we have a lot of opportunities as well by this initiative. And Germany and Europe are really committed to take this opportunity." 

Since relations between the two countries were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, China has replaced France and the United States to become Germany's largest trade partner. 

The total import and export volume between the two countries reached 170 billion euros last year. 

On his agenda in Germany, Xi Jinping will meet with the President and hold talks with the Chancellor.

Topics of their discussion are expected to cover political mutual trust, cooperation within the framework of the G20 as well as regional or global hot issues.

The Chinese president will also attend the opening ceremony of Berlin Zoo's "Panda Garden" and watch a football match between Chinese and German youth teams.

At the G20 summit, the Chinese leader is expected to call for joint efforts to carry out the consensus reached at the G20 summit in Hangzhou last year, to build an open world economy, to promote innovation and development, and to send positive messages of G20 cooperation and coordination.