Xi Jinping: China-Germany Cooperation is an Opportunity, Not a Risk
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing on Tuesday, emphasizing that mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is an opportunity for both nations and not a “risk.”
During their meeting, Xi highlighted the deep interconnection of the industrial and supply chains between China and Germany, noting that their markets are highly interdependent. “Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is not a ‘risk’ but a guarantee for the stability of bilateral relations and an opportunity for the future,” Xi stated.
Xi urged vigilance against rising protectionism and encouraged viewing production capacity issues objectively. He emphasized the vast potential for win-win cooperation in traditional sectors like machinery manufacturing and automobiles, as well as emerging fields such as green transformation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
“China’s exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products have not only enriched global supply and alleviated global inflationary pressure but also contributed greatly to the global response to climate change and green and low-carbon transformation,” Xi said.
President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to opening up its economy and expressed hope that Germany would provide a fair, transparent, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in Germany.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership
Marking the 10th anniversary of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany, Xi reflected on the steady growth of bilateral relations over the past decade. “Despite tremendous changes in the international landscape, China-Germany relations have maintained steady growth, and bilateral cooperation has strengthened and deepened across the board,” he said.
Xi called for both countries to view and develop their relationship from a long-term and strategic perspective, emphasizing their significant roles as the world’s second and third-largest economies. He underscored the importance of strengthening mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and pursuing win-win cooperation to ensure solid and sustained progress in China-Germany relations.
Chancellor Scholz echoed these sentiments, noting that Germany-China relations are in good shape with close exchanges at all levels. Having visited Chongqing and Shanghai, Scholz expressed his impression of China’s economic achievements and the close cooperation between German and Chinese businesses.
“Germany opposes protectionism and supports free trade,” Scholz stated. “We are willing to strengthen relations with China, deepen dialogue and cooperation in various fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, and other areas, which are crucial for Germany, China, and the world.”
He added that Germany, as an important member of the European Union, is ready to play a positive role in promoting sound development of EU-China relations.
Collaboration on Global Challenges
President Xi and Chancellor Scholz discussed their shared commitment to a multipolar world and the importance of countries with different civilizations, systems, and paths coexisting peacefully. Xi pointed out that China and Germany need to collaborate on multilateral fronts to address global challenges such as climate change, unbalanced development, and regional conflicts.
“The more instability in the world, the greater the need for the two sides to strengthen the resilience and vitality of their relations,” Xi stated.
Scholz expressed Germany’s readiness to enhance communication and coordination with China to jointly tackle global challenges, uphold the multilateral international order, and promote world peace and development. He emphasized that Germany disapproves of conflict and confrontation.
Addressing International Issues
The leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and the Gaza conflict. President Xi reiterated China’s position of promoting peace talks and supporting efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis. He mentioned China’s support for holding an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, ensuring equal participation and fair discussions.
Regarding the Gaza conflict, both sides agreed on the importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728, preventing escalation, ensuring humanitarian access to Gaza, and supporting an early settlement of the Palestinian question through negotiations based on the two-state solution.
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President Xi: China-Germany cooperation not 'risk' but opportunity
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