在中德建交50周年之际，德国总理朔尔茨11月4日率团访华。德国前国防部长鲁道夫·沙尔平 (Rudolf Scharping) 日前为中国日报中国观察智库撰写署名文章称，过去50年来，中德关系虽经历过波折，但总体是成功的。在当前多重全球性挑战面前，尤其是乌克兰危机背景下，各国应切实行动，加强合作，担负起促进世界和平与发展的共同责任。

　　中德两国虽然地理距离遥远，历史文化各异，政治制度和法律体系也存在很大不同，但在沙尔平看来，这些差异既是挑战，也是对话契机。过去50年来，中德两国在这方面有过成功的实践。不论过去还是现在，中德关系都经历过困难阶段和巨大挫折。但对两国来说，相互了解、交流和深化关系的过程是成功的。

　　Great geographical distances, different cultures and experiences, even fundamental differences in political and legal systems should be understood as a challenge and thus an invitation to talk.

　　China and Germany have practiced this successfully over the last 50 years. Of course, there have been and still are very difficult phases and massive setbacks. But the course of understanding, exchange and deepening of relations has been successful for both countries.

　　中德合作50年，我们有充分的理由赞扬这一进展，同时思考如何在未来利用和发展这一经验。我们两国有既许多共同点，可以取得很大成就，但也面临巨大挑战。

　　Five decades of cooperation between China and Germany are an excellent reason to praise the progress while asking how we can use and build on this experience in the future. Our two countries have several things in common, can accomplish much, but face great challenges.

　　沙尔平认为，在全球性挑战面前，各国不论政治制度如何，都必须合力应对，需要科学界、社会组织和全体人民共同做出贡献。例如，气候变化挑战近年来正变得越来越紧迫，中国和德国正朝着一个共同目标迈进：中国致力于在2060年前实现气候中和，德国则希望在2045年前实现。中国在发展可再生能源方面处于领先地位。我们应该共同考虑是否有可能在两国以及同其他国家的合作中取得更快的进展。

　　Global challenges do not ask for differences in political systems. Global challenges require joint responses from all countries and economies; they require contributions of sciences, social organizations and citizens. For years, the challenge of climate change has become increasingly urgent. China and Germany are moving toward a common goal: China wants to be climate neutral before 2060, Germany by 2045. China is a leader in the expansion of renewable energies. We should jointly consider whether it is possible to make even faster progress — in our countries and in cooperation with other countries, including those on other continents.

　　中德两国和两国人民都在与持续的气候变化作斗争，气候变化威胁着粮食、农业、经济、城市和一切。我希望我们能够更好地分享和利用各自的科学知识、创新能力和经济实力，共同为建设一个更加美好的世界作出贡献。

　　Both our nations and peoples are struggling with the ongoing climate change which threatens food and agriculture, economy, cities and everything. I hope that we could better share and make use of our scientific knowledge, innovative competence and economic strength in order to contribute jointly to a better world.

　　在原有挑战之上，新的挑战还在接踵而至，例如今年爆发的乌克兰危机。在这方面，德国总理朔尔茨在最近访华期间，同中方领导人达成了重要共识，双方共同反对使用或威胁使用核武器。沙尔平表示，中德都是和平共处五项原则的坚定倡导者，这次会晤具有关键意义，增进了两国之间的互信，加深了两国相互的政治了解，为两国一个更加和平的世界环境中携手走向未来开辟了光明前景。

　　China and Germany are solid advocates for the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The meeting of President Xi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz was decisive to strengthen mutual trust, deepen the understanding of both countries and their respective politics to create a promising perspective for both nations in a more peaceful world.

　　所有这些挑战都突显出我们的世界是多么的脆弱。希望各国领导人切实担负起责任，果断采取行动，加强全球合作，在这方面，中德、中欧合作不可或缺。

　　All of these challenges highlight how vulnerable our world is. The hope is that responsible and decisive political leadership will strengthen global cooperation. Germany and China, Europe and China are indispensable for this.