This week, Olaf Scholz travels to China for his first visit as German Chancellor. The chosen date is more than ill-timed. For one thing, a new China strategy of the German government is still being drafted. The same applies to the EU. And since relations with France are already under severe strain, Germany’s refusal of a joint visit by Macron and Scholz will further weigh on bilateral relations. And most importantly, China is supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine. Without China, North Korea would not be able to advance its nuclear weaponization. The visit of the German chancellor and current president of the G7 countries directly after the 20th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party will therefore be highly welcome in China. With the involvement of the Chinese state-owned company Cosco in a terminal in the port of Hamburg in the baggage, the visit will above all be a propaganda success for the Chinese leadership.