This article introduces the key role of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the development of Sino German relations, especially during the period when its traditional friendly policy towards China was formed and developed, which coincides with the critical period of SPD's ideological transformation. The article reviews the evolution of SPD's policy towards China in different historical stages, including Willy Brandt's "New Oriental Policy," the policy traditions of the periods of Helmut Schmidt and Gerhard Schr ö der, and the influence of Schr ö der's "New Middle Way" on SPD ideology in the early 21st century. At the same time, the current SPD policy towards China is analyzed to be influenced by the international environment, domestic political party games, and public opinion, as well as the potential challenges that SPD voters' negative perception of China may bring to Sino German and Sino European relations.

1、 The tradition and evolution of the Social Democratic Party's policy towards China

Detailed exploration of the tradition and evolution of the German Social Democratic Party's (SPD) policy towards China. From the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Germany in the 1970s to the early 1980s, the Social Democratic Party played a key role in shaping an economic oriented policy towards China, which had a significant impact on the pragmatic stance towards China of later Christian Democratic Union Prime Ministers Helmut Kohl and Merkel. The formation of the Social Democratic Party's friendly policy towards China began after World War II, and Prime Minister Brandt's "New Oriental Policy" created a favorable external environment for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. During the Schmidt government, the tradition of the Social Democratic Party's friendly policy towards China was formed. Schmidt himself, as an "old friend of the Chinese people", was an important pioneer and promoter of Sino German relations. During Chancellor Schroeder's tenure, the tradition of the Social Democratic Party's friendly policy towards China was inherited and developed. Through his visit to China and promotion of the China Germany dialogue on the rule of law and human rights, he enhanced political mutual trust between China and Germany, laying a solid foundation for friendly exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries.

2、 The current Social Democratic Party's policy towards China increasingly emphasizes competition and division

In the later period of Merkel's presidency, the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) began to emphasize the conflict of interests and values between China and Germany in its China policy, which was reflected in its election manifesto and high-level attitude towards China. The Social Democratic Party has increased the frequency of mentioning the term "China" in its election manifesto, and in the 2021 election manifesto, a separate paragraph was used to clarify its stance on China, demonstrating the importance of the "China issue" in German political party elections. Unlike the previous emphasis on cooperation, the statements in the 2021 program tend to be negative, highlighting the value differences between China and Germany, and interfering in China's internal affairs on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In addition, the Social Democratic Party proposes to promote dialogue between Europe and China on cooperation and competition with a united, constructive, and critical attitude, hoping to enhance its influence in Germany and the European Union by adjusting its policy towards China. The Social Democratic Party's policy towards China is influenced by other governing partners, such as the Green Party and the Liberal Democratic Party's positioning and stance on China in their election platforms.

3、 The ideological transformation dilemma of the Social Democratic Party and the evolution of its policy towards China

Since the 1950s, the ideology of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) has continuously shifted to the right, and after reaching its peak in the early 21st century, it has retreated to the left. In the process of transformation, its domestic and foreign policies have been influenced by neoliberal ideas, and its policy towards China has shifted from emphasizing economic interests to emphasizing values. The Social Democratic Party has undergone three ideological transformations in its history, transitioning from a working-class party to a "People's Party," which are reflected in its party manifesto, manifesto, and policy recommendations. In the late 1980s, globalization and the shift from industrial society to information society led to a shrinking of the working class, triggering a second transformation. After the Schr ö der government came to power in 1998, it faced issues of government debt, unemployment rate, and social security burden, and implemented the "New Middle Way" and "2010 Agenda" with neoliberal colors, which were seen as a departure from the tradition of social democracy. The 'Third Way' failed to solve the social, political, and economic crisis in Germany, leaving the Social Democratic Party in a state of ideological confusion and unable to reverse its declining trend. After the defeat of the Social Democratic Party in 2005, it formed a coalition government with the Alliance Party, creating a political pattern of left and right co governance. In 2007, the Hamburg Platform attempted to overcome the transition dilemma by emphasizing the "left" tradition, but failed to reverse the low public support rate, and the Social Democratic Party gradually lost its traditional position as a major party. Under Merkel's leadership, the Social Democratic Party's political platform deviates from its traditional ideological positioning and draws more on and accepts neoliberal propositions. The Social Democratic Party's vote share continued to decline in the 2009-2017 federal parliamentary elections, with weakened political influence and unclear ideological positioning. In 2017, the Social Democratic Party had hoped to provide an alternative political agenda as an opposition party, but ultimately formed a coalition government with the Alliance Party again. The Social Democratic Party's ideological retreat to the left faces significant resistance and continues to be in a state of ideological confusion due to the absence of value goals. The decline of the Social Democratic Party is attributed to improper adjustments by the Schr ö der government and encroachment by the Merkel government, but the underlying reasons are the shrinking party membership, lack of charismatic leaders, frequent changes in leadership, factional struggles within the party, and lack of innovation in policy proposals. The Social Democratic Party failed to solve the problem of inconsistency between its positioning and reform goals and its social foundation. The decline in the number of party members has undermined the social foundation and become a mass party without workers. Under Schroeder's rule, the ideology of the Social Democratic Party sharply shifted towards the center, policy changes fluctuated left and right, power struggles and interest divisions within the party intensified, cohesion and leadership weakened, and public recognition of the Social Democratic Party decreased. The core ideology of the Social Democratic Party is vague and the policy positioning is not clear, resulting in a decrease in policy continuity and effectiveness, and gradually being marginalized. The original intention of the ideological transformation of the Social Democratic Party was to strive for a broad class foundation and social support, but as a result, it shook the class stance of left-wing political parties, weakened the traditional identification of core voters' interests, and the class foundation became increasingly weak.

4、 The Future Direction of the German Social Democratic Party's Policy towards China

Analyzed the future direction of the German Social Democratic Party's (SPD) policy towards China, pointing out that the SPD faces challenges in the changing international landscape, EU political polarization, and domestic party competition, and needs to find a balance between emphasizing core values and avoiding pragmatism. The Social Democratic Party is gradually deviating from its friendly policy towards China, which is the result of competition among German political parties and the left-right co governance pattern. The future policy towards China will be influenced by ideological differences, economic relations, and national strategies. The Social Democratic Party will face ideological and value identity differences between China and Germany, as well as conceptual differences with the CPC. The economic and trade relationship between China and Germany is the key to the stability of bilateral relations, and Germany's economic dependence on China has increased. The Social Democratic Party will strive to reduce its dependence on China, especially in sensitive technologies and raw materials. At the global level, the Social Democratic Party will seek cooperation with China on multilateral issues to enhance Germany's position in the European Union and the world. The international situation has both positive and negative impacts on the Social Democratic Party's policy towards China, and the party needs to find a balance in the strategic confrontation between China and the United States. The Social Democratic Party should maintain a rational and pragmatic policy towards China through inter party exchanges and cooperation, and avoid replicating the strong US policy towards China.