INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Opinion: Different dreams in a shared bed

Innovation plans, economic agreements, and a touch of mutual criticism. Unity dominated the German-Chinese government talks. But the two countries follow fundamentally different goals, says DW's Matthias von Hein.

A lot of planning goes into meetings like the Chinese-German government consultations that took place in Berlin this week. And yet, chance is still able to find a way to make an impression. On the day before German President Joachim Gauck met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the German head of state gave a passionate speech commemorating the peaceful revolution 25 years ago in the former East Germany. "Tens of thousands overcame their fear of their oppressors because their longing for freedom was stronger than their fear," Gauck said.

Just hours later, Gauck welcomed representatives from the Chinese regime - which 25 years ago conducted a bloody crackdown on a peaceful, pro-democracy movement and has relentlessly gone after anyone who tries to bring it up. Gauck used his meeting with Li Keqiang to point out that China's Communist Party was responsible for major breaches of law in the past.

Matthias von Hein, of DW's China desk

It was also a coincidence that when Chancellor Angela Merkel met the Chinese premier with military honors, the Nobel Committee was announcing the winners of this year's Peace Prize. The coincidence made it hard not to think of China's two past winners of the Nobel Prize. One of them, Liu Xiaobo, has been in prison since 2009 and isn't scheduled to be released until 2020. The other, the Dalai Lama, was forced to leave more than half a century ago and has been fighting ever since for the rights of minorities in his homeland.

The German-Chinese government consultations were carried out with a routine order - differing views on demonstrations in Hong Kong and irritation over the arrest of a German journalist in Beijing were only minor issues in the discussions. The result is also impressive: business contracts worth billions and ten government agreements. The so-called investment partnership was spelled out in a 35-page report. China will also be the partner country for next year's Cebit, the annual electronics exhibition held in Hanover.

A new strategic dialogue in foreign and security policy will add to the already manifold avenues for discussion, there will also be room for financial dialogue involving central bankers from both countries. Hardly anything in the world can get done without China. When it comes to the Ukraine crisis, for example, the German government hopes for cautionary words from Li Keqiang when he leaves Berlin for Moscow. All in all, a look at German-Chinese relations brings to mind a phrase often used in business partnerships between the two countries: "sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams."

The language of dreams is, in fact, very present in Chinese politics. Since taking office about two years ago, Chinese president and party leader Xi Jinping has spoken repeatedly about the "Chinese Dream." Unlike the "American Dream," which tends to focus on the individual, the Chinese version is about increasing the country's strength.

This dream can also be seen in the country's foreign policy, particularly when it comes to Beijing's increasingly aggressive actions in the South and East China seas. Domestically, it's apparent in the country's approach to dissidents, bloggers and civil society activists. When the tables are turned and the idea of a "German Dream" comes up, it seems to be about making the most deals with China.  dw de