President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merzem in Beijing on 25 February, who is on an authoritative visit to China. Xi Jinping stressed during the gathering that China and Germany are respectively the second and 3rd largest economies of the world. China-German relations not only concern the interests of both countries, but besides have a crucial impact on Europe and the world.
The current global situation has undergone its deepest evolution since the end of planet War II. The more turbulent and complex the planet becomes, the more China and Germany must strengthen strategical communication, increase common trust and support the continuous improvement of a comprehensive strategical partnership between China and Germany.
Xi Jinping made 3 suggestions for the improvement of the next phase of Chinese-German relations. Firstly, both sides must be reliable partners who support each other. Secondly, they must be innovative partners, open and mutually beneficial. Thirdly, both sides, which can boast a deep cultural heritage, must be partners seeking to deepen common exchange, who realize each another well and respect each other.
Xi Jinping stressed that in the face of a rapidly changing global landscape, all countries should work together in these hard times, sharing a common fate. China and Germany should keep the fundamental position of the United Nations, revive its leading function and lead the defence of multilateralism, practice global regulation of law, defend free trade and advance solidarity and cooperation.
Merz stated that Germany values its relations with China, powerfully adhere to the policies of 1 China and are willing to cooperate with China to proceed the tradition of friendship, keep common respect and open cooperation, and want to constantly deepen a comprehensive strategical partnership between the 2 countries. German companies highly value the Chinese marketplace and hope to further deepen their cooperation with China in order to accomplish common benefit and common development. Germany is looking forward to closer cooperation with China, to supporting free trade with China and to defy protectionism. Developing credible and sustainable economical and trade relations between the EU and China is in the interests of both parties and promotes global stableness and prosperity. Germany supports closer dialog and cooperation between the EU and China," said the German Chancellor.
Both leaders besides exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis. After the meeting, the parties issued a joint press release.
