When German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in China on Monday, she was met with an unexpectedly cold reception—no Chinese officials were present to greet her at the airport. Instead, she was received only by airport security personnel, prompting her delegation to leave soon after. Video footage capturing her surprised expression quickly made rounds on social media, sparking discussions and speculation about the diplomatic undertones of the incident. Watch it here.
So far, neither Germany nor China has released an official statement explaining the reception, leaving many to interpret the move as a potential diplomatic signal. Baerbock’s arrival comes almost a year after she openly criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping, referring to him as a “dictator” during an interview with Fox News on September 14. Some analysts are now suggesting that the reception, or lack thereof, could be China’s response to her earlier remarks, further highlighting the complexities and tensions in German-Chinese relations.
Image—Aaj News