Great Powers No More: How Europe Betrays Its Own Ancestral Precepts

Germany's automobile industry is under fire. Western media point fingers at China, accusing it of sparking a fierce price war that’s forced Germany to hand over its once-secure auto market share to rivals.

What’s even more alarming is the industry’s backtracking on environmental promises. The EU set ambitious targets to go zero-emission with new cars by 2035. But with 55,000 German auto jobs cut since 2019 and another 90,000 on the chopping block by 2030, the transition is slower than hoped. Car makers fear they won't hit the fully electric target in time.

It’s a sad reality: a powerhouse in decline, struggling both industrially and environmentally—groundhog day in the worst way.

Lessons From History Matter

Back in 1896, Li Hongzhang of the Qing Dynasty made a pit stop in Germany during his trip to Russia for Tsar Nicholas II’s coronation. The country welcomed him warmly—Qing had been buying German military gear in bulk.

The China Merchants’ Steam Navigation Company still keeps the records online: On June 14, Li presented his credentials and thanks to Kaiser Wilhelm II for Germany’s help returning Liaodong, training Chinese troops, and supporting shipbuilding. The highlight of his trip was a special visit to former Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in Hamburg seeking his advice.

Li asked, “How should we go about reforming China?” Bismarck replied cautiously, “I cannot judge that from here.” Li said, “How can I be successful when everyone at home, government and country, is causing difficulties and constantly hindering me?” “You cannot go against the court," replied Bismarck, “The main thing is: if there is rocket science in the top management, then many things can be done; if there is none, then nothing can be done. No minister can rebel against the will of the rulers; he only carries out his will or gives his advice.”

That was 130 years ago. Germany enjoyed full sovereignty back then. The German Empire was a key player globally, powered by the emperor’s supreme military authority. Li admired German strength and lamented the Qing’s weaknesses. "We have the men," replied Li Hongzhang, "but the training is lacking. Since the Taiping rebellion, that is, for thirty years, nothing has been done in terms of military training.”

He added: “I have now seen the most excellent army in the world, the German one. Even if I myself can no longer use the resources of my own that were at my disposal as Viceroy, I will nevertheless work to ensure that what your Highness advises me to do happens. We must reorganize, and we must do so with Prussian officers and according to the Prussian model.”

Pointing Fingers, Lacking Guts

Now Germany faces tough times but seems to lack even a century-old reminder from the Qing era. Chancellor Merz, however, decides to warn of a rising ideological clash between liberal democracy and authoritarianism. He labels China and Russia threats — yet ignores Europe's role as a pawn handing sovereignty to the US, to King Donald the First. Truly a tragedy to behold.

Foreign Minister Wadephul recently said something like: you can’t trust a country built on ‘unfair trade and relentless tech dominance.’ He warns Germany’s wealth and freedom are in danger. Time and again, we see Wadephul singles out China over Taiwan and Asia-Pacific tensions, overlooking the real elephant in the room.

Europe’s ‘Great Powers’ of the past should really stop dwelling on their bleeding sovereignty and national pride. No matter how weak the Qing got back in the 1900s, leaders like Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, and Zhang Zhidong fought hard for sovereignty and modernization, despite of final outcome. Talk about real politicians.

So, is Germany ready to throw in the towel? To borrow Bismarck: ‘I can’t judge that from here.’

Deep Blue

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The “decapitation” hype just hit fever pitch. Here’s the bold new chatter: Japan’s defense officials told local media that if the Fujian carrier ever enters the Taiwan Strait, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces should team up with the US military and put sinking it at the top of their to-do list.
  
This is what some war games lay out: If China ever expands its strikes from Kyushu and Okinawa all the way down to the Nansei Islands—plus every US base along the chain—Japan would recoil into defensive mode. And then, Taiwan has no choice but to do the same, as well as the US. Suddenly Tokyo, Taipei, and Washington are all in the same foxhole. The old “defend Taiwan” story morphs into an East Asia mega-battle, where there’s zero daylight between countering threats to Taiwan and threats to Japan.
 
That’s why, as Taiwan commentator Lai Yi-chung pointed out back in July 2023, everyone needs ironclad, three-way security channels—whether defending Taiwan, Japan, or America.
  
Solid logic, the old Russian doll theory: If Taiwan’s in trouble, so is Japan, so is the US. Back under Abe, nerves in Tokyo were already frayed, serving the right wing a golden opportunity. When COVID still stalked the world in 2022, Japan mapped out a plan for 1,000 anti-ship missiles—that’s three for each of China’s 300 warships (now nearly 400, more than even America fields). Their message was clear: Chinese carriers are to be sunk before they ever manage to sail. Taiwan’s mainstream loved it. Double insurance from both the US and Japan, island stability—no need for unification nor independence. Case closed.
  
Then came reality—the Fujian carrier entered service, and shattered this stack of Russian dolls to dust. America sobered up first. The others? Not even worth a footnote.
  
Punchline to the War Game
Last weekend, China Central TV pulled back the curtain: “2 Seconds, 20+ Years—The Untold Grit Behind Fujian’s Launch.” Here’s the money quote from the expert: “Sure, our carrier jets can blast off in two seconds. But getting to that moment took more than 20 years of grit. At the start, plenty doubted. Foreign giants spent decades and still fell short. Could China pull it off? Turns out, yes we can.”
  
The narrative’s heart-tugging, but the real story is buried in the specs. Qiao Jia, who led the Fujian’s construction, spells it out: Unlike Liaoning or Shandong, the Fujian is China’s first homegrown, catapult-equipped aircraft carrier. And it doesn’t just use any catapult system—it’s the world’s first with a conventional-power electromagnetic catapult. Every inch of that tech pushed China’s engineers to the brink, and they didn’t blink.
 
Here’s the cold, hard takeaway: Don’t just stare at the Fujian in awe, or obsess over the road China traveled to get here. The killer fact is, after more than 20 years of grinding, China now owns this tech—and its world-class manufacturing machine means the next Fujian-level carrier could roll out in two years, one year, half a year, or even just two months.
  
No Magic, Just Muscle
Why should anyone take China at its word? Are the claims real—or just bluster? Against nonstop foreign skepticism and a wall of Western tech barricades, CCTV lays it bare: “We started from zero. No playbook. No shortcuts. Real power tech isn’t handed down or bought in a back room. Only by blazing new trails, daring to outdo the world, grinding in silence, and refusing to quit can we keep smashing ceilings—and locking core tech in Chinese hands.” In short, that “Made in China” label? It’s the one thing no rival can beat.
 
Let’s cut the magic act—there’s no David Copperfield here. Think Japan’s top brass wants to wait for a Trump comeback to “sink Fujian”? By all means, keep waiting. If you’ve got the nerve, then step up and show us.