BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Germany to enhance strategic communication and deepen mutual trust, as the world faces growing turbulence and interconnection.
During talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing, Xi pointed out that China and Germany are the world’s second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world.
Noting that the current international situation is undergoing the most profound transformation since the end of World War II, he said the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership.
Xi put forward three suggestions for the further development of China-Germany relations.
First, both countries should be reliable partners that support each other, he said.
China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development, he said, adding that both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit.
China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, Xi said, expressing hope that the German side can view China’s growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship.
Second, he called on both countries to be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results. The German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development, and they highly resonate with China’s objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan, he said.
The two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies, he said, calling on both sides to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded.
Third, both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as major countries with profound cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges, so as to cement the popular foundation for China-Germany friendship, said the Chinese president.
Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central role of the United Nations, reinvigorate its leading role and take the lead in being upholders of multilateralism, practitioners of international rule of law, defenders of free trade and advocates of solidarity and coordination.
China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, said Xi, adding that he hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
