Friedrich Merz frequently uses the term 'Reich der Mitte,' which translates to 'Middle Kingdom,' to refer to China. This phrase has a certain mystical and poetic resonance, often encountered in introductory Chinese language courses. The Chinese character for 'middle' depicts a rectangle bisected by a vertical line, symbolizing the claim to be at the center of the world. Historically, this expression referred to the geographical area of small principalities along the Yellow River, known as China’s 'mother river.' In 221 BC, the first emperor unified these territories into one empire, with the elite perceiving their domain as the political and cultural center of the world, surrounded by 'barbarians.' The perception of China as the 'Middle Kingdom' has evolved significantly, especially since the accounts of Marco Polo, which portrayed it as a land of admiration or demonization depending on the contemporary worldview. The sense of superiority experienced by the Chinese elite was profoundly challenged with the arrival of colonial powers in the 19th century, marking a period referred to as the 'Century of Humiliation.' This era has profoundly shaped China's national identity and fuels their determination to never appear weak again.