When the German mission arrived in Qingdao, it was also welcomed by the East China University of North China. The red carpet was paved, the police car drove the road, and the guard of honor accepted a brief review, etc., which showed that the East China University of North China University attached great importance to the visit of the German mission.

After the welcoming ceremony, the two sides immediately held a formal meeting. The etiquette and other things were false, and the focus was on the statements of both parties. The East China ** was represented by the President Wang Yunpeng.

After the two sides met, Prince Heinrich said first: "Director Wang, on behalf of Germany, I formally proposed the intention to form a strategic alliance to the East China **. We believe that the conclusion of a strategic alliance has great interests to both of us. Because before this Far East War, France, Russia, Britain and Japan had formed alliances, and not long ago, France, Britain and Russia also signed friendly agreements one after another. In addition, Japan, although the four countries did not formally form alliances, this trend has become very obvious. Whether in the Far East or Europe, it will pose a huge strategic threat to our Germany and East China **. Therefore, we can only join hands to effectively deal with this threat. Concluding alliances is our best choice. In this way, our Germany in Europe and East China ** is in the Far East, forming mutual support, which can completely restrain the four countries of Britain, France, Japan and Russia."

Wang Yunpeng said: "Prince, we have conducted a study on Germany's suggestion. First of all, we agree with Germany's judgment on the current international situation. Britain, France, Japan and Russia have indeed united to a certain extent for their respective reasons and are developing towards an alliance. If the four countries sign an alliance treaty in a few years, it will not be surprising."

Prince Heinrich nodded and said, "Yes, I personally think this is a necessity."

Wang Yunpeng said: "Any alliance will have an opponent. The alliance of four countries, even the future alliance, should be Germany and our East China **. I think there is no doubt about this. Moreover, the strength of these four countries cannot be underestimated, and their power is even spread across the Eurasian continent, which can indeed pose a huge threat to both of us."

Prince Heinrich smiled and said, "Yes, this is a very correct judgment. So how did East China ** decide on our alliance proposal."

Wang Yunpeng said: "Prince, after research, we believe that now that we have concluded a military alliance between us, the conditions seem to be not yet mature."

Prince Heinrich frowned and said, "Sir, can you explain in detail why you think the conditions for forming a military alliance are not ripe?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "First of all, Britain, France, Russia and Japan have not yet concluded a formal military alliance. Now only France, Russia and Britain and Japan have signed a military alliance treaty. Moreover, the military alliance between Britain, Japan must take effect when it is attacked at the same time. Therefore, for now, the relationship between Britain, France, Russia and Japan is still very loose. Although it poses a major threat to us and Germany, this threat is not imminent."

Prince Heinrich said: "But the President just admitted that East China has also made a judgment that Britain, France, Japan and Russia are developing in the direction of alliance."

Wang Yunpeng smiled and said, "This is just a development trend, but there is still a long way to go before a real alliance, and there are still many variables. If we form a military alliance with Germany now, we will further stimulate the four countries of Britain, France, Japan and Russia and accelerate their formation of an alliance."

Prince Heinrich was silent for a while and said, "Okay, I will report this reason to the country."

Wang Yunpeng said: "Oh, this is just the first reason why we think the time to form an alliance is not yet ripe."

Prince Heinrich was slightly stunned and said, "So is there a second reason?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "Of course, the second reason is that the distance between our two countries is too far. To be honest, even if an alliance is formed, it is more of a formal alliance, and it is difficult to form effective interaction."

Prince Heinrich said: "The distance between Germany and East China should be similar to that between Britain and Japan. Since Britain can form an alliance with Japan, why can't Germany and East China become an alliance?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "First of all, the main goal of the British-Japanese alliance is Russia. In fact, Britain pays money and weapons, and Japan sends people to deal with Russia. Britain only restrains France. The alliance between us and Germany is targeting the four countries of Britain and France, Japan and Russia. The situation faces much more complicated than the British-Japanese alliance. Secondly, Britain also has a large number of colonies in the Far East, so their alliance can form a good mutual relationship. What's more, if a war occurs, we cannot send troops to Europe to fight, and Germany will not send troops to the Far East to participate in the war."

Prince Heinrich said: "Did East China think too much about this? Although Germany and East China are far away, it is not difficult to interact. Once a war occurs, East China will not have to send troops to Europe to participate in the war. It only needs to attack Russia or Britain and France in the Far East. On the contrary, the same is true for our Germany, and it is only necessary to launch an attack on Britain, France and Russia in Europe."

Wang Yunpeng said: "No, no, no, no, I think the Prince is misunderstanding. What we mean is that although our East China ** and Germany are currently facing common threats, the interests of launching war may not be consistent. For example, this Far East War actually has no conflict of interest with Germany. If both sides have formed a military alliance, Germany must attack Britain, France and Russia in Europe, which is equivalent to dragging Germany into the war; otherwise, if Germany fights in Europe and France, it may not be in line with our interests. This is mainly because Germany's interests are mainly in Europe, while our interests are in the Far East. To be honest, there are not many overlaps between our interests. Therefore, if we form a military alliance, we will only form mutual bondage, which is not beneficial to both of us."

Prince Heinrich thought about it seriously and admitted that what Wang Yunpeng said was indeed reasonable. Germany hoped that the main purpose of aligning with the East China ** was to use the East China ** to restrain Russia in order to avoid falling into a strategic dilemma of being attacked from both sides. However, the interests and obligations after the alliance were shared by both sides. Although Germany can use the alliance to avoid strategic dilemma, it must bear the risks of the obligations to the East China ***, just like this Far East War, it does have no interest with Germany. If the two sides have reached an alliance this time, Germany must fulfill its obligations and launch a military offensive against Russia, and even Britain and France in Europe.

After a while, Prince Heinrich said: "So is the attitude of East China to reject the demand for alliance proposed by Germany?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "You can't say that. In fact, although Britain, France, Japan and Russia have not yet formed a real alliance, it does pose a threat to us and Germany. Therefore, it is necessary for East China* and Germany to join forces. However, it is not the best time to form an alliance now."

Prince Heinrich said: "Then what East China ** means is that we will sign a friendly agreement first?"

Wang Yunpeng smiled and said, "We have a better way than a friendly agreement, that is, partnership!"

Prince Heinrich then realized that it seemed that the partnership proposed by East China ** in his quest was not casually stated, but was carefully considered, so he said: "Mr. Dean, can you explain, what is a partnership?"

Wang Yunpeng said: "Partnership is a new type of diplomatic relationship between countries formulated by our East China **. It inherits a relationship of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation. Of course, partnership is just a general term, which can be subdivided into cooperative partnership, comprehensive partnership, strategic partnership, etc. In terms of all, it means strengthening communication and exchanges, informing each other of their major decisions before, fully considering, taking care of the other party's national interests, coordinating, cooperating, supporting each other on major international and regional issues, and maintaining the same position as much as possible; but the two countries that have concluded partnerships are not binding, do not clearly stipulate the obligations of both countries, provide considerable flexibility in handling bilateral relations, and can act freely according to the needs of the country."

After hearing this, Prince Heinrich nodded and basically understood the partnership proposed by East China **. Simply put, the two countries do not sign any binding treaties, but try their best to maintain cooperation on major international issues and cooperate with each other. However, when taking joint actions, they will act according to their own national interests. The advantage of this is that they are not bound by the treaty and will not be dragged into war. The disadvantage is that they can kick the other party away at any time when it is not in their own interests.

At this time, Wang Yunpeng said again: "We think it is more appropriate for us to establish a partnership at present. If the time is ripe and the conditions are met, it will not be too late to form an alliance again."

Prince Heinrich thought about it seriously again, nodded, and said, "Okay, I will report this opinion to the country truthfully."

So after the talks on this day, Prince Heinrich immediately gave the entire content of the talks on this day, which was a detailed explanation of the partnership, and also specially handed them over to East China ** for review, so that they could see if Germany's understanding of the partnership was correct and whether the translation was appropriate. After confirming, it was converted into a telegram and sent back to Germany.

After receiving the telegram from Prince Heinrich, William II hurriedly recruited ministers to discuss whether Germany should accept the partnership proposed by East China **. After discussion, the ministers thought it was acceptable. Because the conclusion of a military alliance is not possible within 1 or 2 visits, it has to be negotiated and negotiated many times. Moreover, before that, although East China ** and Germany have a good relationship, they are still quite far from reaching a military alliance, so it is acceptable to form a partnership first. After all, this is one level closer than the relationship between countries, and the relationship between the two sides can be further strengthened. In this way, after the relationship between the two sides has further developed, then consider the conclusion of a military alliance.
Chapter completed!