April 17, 2024
BEIJING – Mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and Germany creates no “risks”, but serves as a guarantee for their stable relations and presents opportunities for future development, President Xi Jinping said during a meeting in Beijing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday.
Xi emphasized the deep interconnection of the industrial and supply chains between the two countries as well as the high-level of market interdependence between them.
There are vast potentials for them to explore win-win cooperation whether in traditional sectors, such as mechanical manufacturing and automotive, or in emerging fields, such as green transformation, digital development and artificial intelligence, he said.
He underscored the significant contributions China has made in addressing global supply challenges, inflation pressures and climate change through exportation of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products.
Noting both China and Germany support free trade and economic globalization, Xi urged both countries to be vigilant against rising protectionism and view the issue of production capacity objectively in line with the laws of economics.
While reiterating China’s commitment to open policies, Xi urged Germany to provide a fair, transparent, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in the country.
Scholz told Xi that Germany is willing to further strengthen bilateral relations with China and deepen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in various fields.
Germany is committed to upholding a multilateral international order while rejecting confrontation and advocating for free trade, he said.
In terms of the Ukraine crisis, both leaders expressed their commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, opposing the use of nuclear weapons or attacks on nuclear facilities, and addressing food security issues in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Xi emphasized the need for joint efforts to prevent the escalation of conflicts and to work toward an early restoration of peace.
He encouraged and supported all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, expressing China’s willingness to maintain close communication with relevant parties, including Germany, regarding the timely convening of an international conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation from all relevant parties for fair discussions on all peace proposals.
The two leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Palestine-Israel conflict.
Both sides agreed on the implementation of the Resolution 2728 of UN Security Council to prevent the escalation of the situation, ensure unimpeded and sustainable humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, and support the early negotiation-based resolution of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the “two-state solution”.
They also called on influential countries to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability and to push for a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.