Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged China and Germany to strengthen strategic communication and deepen mutual trust at a time of increasing global turbulence and interconnectedness.
During his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing, Xi said that China and Germany, as the world's second and third largest economies, are not only responsible for their own development, but their relations also have a major impact on Europe and the global situation.
He stressed that the current international situation is undergoing the most profound transformation since the end of the Second World War. The greater the changes and upheavals the world faces, the more important it is, he said, to strengthen strategic communication, mutual trust and strive for new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
President Xi presented three proposals for the further development of Sino-German relations.
First, both countries should become reliable partners that support each other. He recalled that both China and Germany have achieved rapid development by emphasising self-reliance, mutual respect, trust and open cooperation. He said China was ready to share development opportunities with Germany and the world and expressed the hope that the German side would view China's development objectively and pragmatically.
Second, he called for a partnership based on innovation, openness and win-win outcomes. Germany's new strategies in technology, innovation and digitalisation, he said, resonate with China's goals of smart, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. The two sides should strengthen the linkage of development strategies, promote the two-way flow of talents, knowledge and technology, and develop dialogue on artificial intelligence and other high-end technologies.
Third, Xi stressed the importance of cultural partnerships and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as countries with a deep cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual understanding and expand people-to-people contacts, he said, thus consolidating the social basis of mutual friendship.
Xi also said the two countries should support the central role of the United Nations, uphold multilateralism, international law and free trade, and contribute to solidarity and coordination in the world. He added that China supports Europe's pursuit of greater autonomy and strength, and looks forward to the further development of China-Europe relations for the benefit of world peace and development.
Chancellor Merz said that Germany attached great importance to relations with China and held firm to the one-China policy. He expressed his willingness to continue mutual respect, open cooperation and further deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to him, the German business community considers the Chinese market as a key market and is interested in further developing cooperation based on mutual benefit. Germany also wants to coordinate with China to address global challenges, promote free trade and reject protectionism.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the crisis in Ukraine. Xi outlined China's principled position and stressed that dialogue and negotiation, involving all parties on an equal footing and taking into account legitimate security concerns to create a lasting framework for peace are the keys to a solution.
A joint press declaration was issued after the meeting.
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