EU criticizes German Chancellor over visit to China.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Photo: AP

This French publication states: "(Chancellor) Scholz is acting contrary to the general European course. Berlin's policy toward Beijing can only succeed if it is aligned with European policy."

The article notes that the EU's doctrine toward China is based on pragmatic policy in some areas, emphasizing Beijing as a negotiating partner, particularly in the climate field, while also being a rival in other areas.

The author of Le Figaro reports that Chancellor Scholz has been accused of acting alone on the Ukraine issue, and now he has further exacerbated the situation by traveling to Beijing with prominent German businessmen.

According to a journalist from Le Figaro, France also believes that Europe needs to pursue a common policy with Beijing, and therefore President Emmanuel Macron should have undertaken a trip to China with Chancellor Scholz.

The newspaper cited an example: in 2019, when President Macron hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Elysee Palace, the French leader also invited then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and then-President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to attend the meeting. However, today, relations between Paris and Berlin are no longer as warm; specifically, according to Reuters, Chancellor Scholz declined President Macron's offer to visit China together.