Another ‘pivot’?

Now this is interesting.

At a time when there is so much focus on the China ‘pivot’ (see here and here) in American diplomacy (not to mention on the presidential race, which does concern China to a degree), there has been another, not-very-subtle ‘pivot’ in Sino-German relations which has not gone unnoticed, either by the United States or by Germany’s news media themselves.

Naturally, the way the European news media tend to think about issues relating to China is as wrongheaded as much of American news media tends to be, not least in assuming that the best way to stand up for basic dignities for China’s poorest is to support the Dalai Lama (who has no influence over Chinese policymakers whatsoever, and who certainly doesn’t give a damn about anyone who is not ethnically Tibetan - particularly those who happen to be Muslim). Further, I think that the ‘rising Euroscepticism’ in Germany is understandable, given that Europe’s politicians and economic priesthood have been so heavily invested in ideologically bolstering a failing system which has paupered the ‘neighbours’; and Germany was also quite right to attempt to forestall NATO involvement in Libya (though if you ask me, the ‘debacle’ was that the intervention happened at all, to put it politely, particularly as regards Mali). Thirdly, I believe this situation serves as one more empirical nail in the coffin of the ‘authoritarian axis’ model, since it demonstrates that China is willing to work with ‘democratic’, Western powers at the possible expense of Russian interests - China’s leadership are nothing if not pragmatic.

All the same time, I do not necessarily think that China’s ‘counter-pivot’ toward Germany is something to be celebrated. I believe that the Global Times’ crowing over the fading influence of Old Europe is more than slightly premature, for one thing. On the contrary, I cannot help but wonder if this ‘counter-pivot’ may end up being the means by which the old neoliberal order in Europe has its lifespan artificially lengthened through an influx of Chinese credit and investment. On the other hand, the Atlantic Sentinel article shows a deep worry about ‘[a]n informal league of Eurasian continental powers that at least passively opposes American domination’. Though I will believe it when I see it (Germany still being institutionally very heavily connected both to the EU and to NATO), such a development would be quite welcome if it helps to prevent another debacle like Libya!