Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, East and West Germany formally achieved reunification on October 3, 1990. The date marked the beginning of a triumphant era of transformation for Germany, from a politically and socially divided nation into an undisputed global superpower.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of this momentous occasion, the Consulate General of Germany in Shanghai recently held a celebratory banquet for the silver jubilee - or "silberjubiläum" in the German tongue - of the Day of German Unity.

Among the younger generations of Germans and world citizens who only know Germany in its present united form, 25 years may seem like ancient history. But for many guests of the event, including German expats, corporate CEOs and Chinese government officials, who can clearly recall the sobering memory of a country divided, 25 years was just yesterday.

In his speech, Consul General Peter Franz Josef Rothen harkened back to the days of past when courageous citizens of East Germany, with the help of political leaders around the world, overcame divisions to bring about the miracle of reunification. He urged his fellow Germans to use this anniversary to express their gratitude to those who supported them in one of the most dramatic twists in world history.

Rothen also took stock of how Germany has fared in the past two decades, and the roles his country has played in recent global crises. "Germany has repeatedly proven that it stays firmly embedded in the European Union (EU)."

On Sino-German relations, Rothen remarked that the cooperation between Germany and China has reached an unprecedented level in economics, culture, education and science and technology. With increased interest in China from German businesses, the two countries in recent years have conducted a number of high-level bilateral political and economic dialogues.

At the end of October, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be visiting the Chinese province of Anhui, which is the hometown of China's Premier Li Keqiang. It will be her eighth visit to China, setting a new record as China's most received Western world leader. November will complete Chancellor Merkel's decade-long reign, during which both Germany and Sino-German relations were led to new prominence.

Germans in Shanghai

Günter Röttenbacher, Vice Consul at the German Consulate General, has been a diplomat for 30 years in numerous countries, during which time he repeatedly applied to be stationed in China, one of his dream destinations. However, not until this year, at the age of 55, was Röttenbacher finally assigned to the German Consulate General in Shanghai.

"I've only been in Shanghai for six weeks now, but I really enjoy my life here. I'm planning to stay here for the next four or five years, so I'm really looking forward to meeting more people and getting to know Chinese culture. I love the cultural differences between our countries," said Röttenbacher.

Christian Stolz, a CEO of an electronics company, has lived in China for one year and also shares the Vice Consul's love for the municipality. "Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in the world. I think it's the energy."

As a CEO, Stolz hasn't much leisure time, but his family attempts to explore China as much as possible. He also plans to learn Putonghua with his children. But unlike Stolz, Thomas Zeh, a young sales manager at an advertising company, can speak nearly perfect Putonghua despite having only lived here for a year.

Zeh's Chinese colleagues nicknamed him "Egg" - on the outside he is still white, but on the inside it's changing into yellow - because he has fully adapted himself to local culture. "Sometimes they (Zeh's Chinese colleagues) don't take their job as seriously as we do; they are not that committed to work. But I've accepted that cultural difference, because if you don't you can go crazy here," said Zeh.

When asked about what attracts so many Germans to move to Shanghai, Zeh was characteristically blunt. "It comes down to salary and job benefits. Also, hospitals here are better equipped than German ones, with health insurance covered by our company. Apartments here are also quite comfortable and high-class. It's a luxury living (for German expats) here."

Global Times

German Consul General in Shanghai Rothen (left) officiates the banquet for the 25th anniversary of German reunification with Chinese officials and guests.

 

A visitor holds a balloon to celebrate German unity on October 3 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Photos: CFP and Yang Lan/GT