If I read this correctly, the recent visit from Olaf Scholz and his business entourage has only angered China.

Following is formal commentary from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on what was a proposed buy of a German chip manufacturing company.

November 9th … AFP: According to reports, Germany wants to block the sale of a chip factory to a Chinese company, saying it could constitute a threat to its security. Do you have any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: I’m not aware of the specifics you mentioned. I would like to point out that the Chinese government always encourages Chinese businesses to conduct mutually beneficial investment cooperation overseas in accordance with market principles and international rules as well as local laws and regulations. We hope Germany and other countries will provide a fair, open, and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese companies doing business there, and refrain from politicizing normal economic and trade cooperation, still less using national security as a pretext to practice protectionism.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202211/t20221109_10891661.html

November 10th … AFP: Germany formally blocked yesterday the sale of two chip makers to Chinese investors because of a potential threat to security. I wonder if you have any details and comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: I believe the Chinese government’s position has been made fully clear when I replied to a similar question here yesterday.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/202211/t20221110_10972316.html

If we read this correctly, Zhao Lijian on the first day indicates that this is not important, and on the question being repeated on the second day, if you lift this out of Diplo-speak, he says “get lost!

In addition, El Salvador broke agreement with Taiwan and entered into discussion with China.

Shenzhen TV: On November 7 local time, a Salvadoran court upheld a suspension of El Salvador’s free trade agreement with Taiwan. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and the Chinese side jointly announced that both sides will begin free trade talks and finalize a treaty as soon as possible. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: On the evening of November 7 local time, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in El Salvador ordered the cessation of the effects of the protective measure for the so-called “free trade agreement” with Taiwan, which marks the complete abolition of the deal. In doing so, El Salvador has chosen to stand on the right side of history and made a decision that serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries. China highly appreciates that. This again shows that upholding the one-China principle is an overriding trend that represents the overwhelming consensus of the world and enjoys popular support. This is a trend that no force can hold back.

Today, China and El Salvador jointly announced that the two sides are ready to launch the bilateral free trade negotiation process as soon as possible and will make joint efforts for an early conclusion of the deal. This speaks volumes about the shared desire of the two sides to deepen bilateral ties and upgrade economic and trade cooperation. In recent years, acting upon the common understanding reached between the two heads of state, China and El Salvador have broken new ground in the development of bilateral relations, delivered new outcomes in practical cooperation, and further deepened friendship. China stands ready to work with El Salvador to strengthen the momentum of growth in bilateral ties, fully tap into our potential, and foster new highlights in cooperation, to create a better future for China-El Salvador relations.

El Salvador is probably one of those places that Trump referred to as ‘shithole countries’.  But even those, in the spirit of multi-polarity are trying to stand on their own feet.