The two countries have long maintained strong trade ties, now weakened by accusations of unfair competition and protectionism.
Beijing hopes to raise to a “new level» his relations with Berlin, declared the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a meeting on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
«China is willing to work with Germany to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various sectors…and elevate the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.” Mr. Wang told Mr. Merz, according to a report from his ministry.
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Wang Yi had already spoken the day before with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, describing economic and trade cooperation as “cornerstone of relationships» bilateral. The two countries have long maintained strong trade ties, now weakened by accusations of unfair competition and protectionism.
Chancellor Merz visits China
During another exchange with Mr. Wadephul, in which the head of French diplomacy also took part, Wang Yi sought to present China as a reliable partner of the European Union, which is trying to reduce its dependence on the Asian giant, but also on the increasingly unpredictable United States.
On Saturday, he reached out to Berlin again, saying he supports Germany as “adriving force» of China-EU cooperation. “China also hopes that Germany will become a (…) stabilizing anchor for strategic relations“, the diplomat also told Chancellor Merz.
According to press reports, the German leader is planning a visit to China in February, with trade as a major topic. Minister Wadephul already visited the country in December. He then called on Chinese officials, including Wang Yi, to use their influence over Russia to try to end the war in Ukraine.
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