Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have expressed their desire to deepen economic ties between their countries during the German leader’s inaugural visit to Beijing, China’s state broadcaster reports.
During a meeting with Merz, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday on a visit focused on resetting trade relations and deepening cooperation, Xi told the German leader their two countries should be “reliable partners that support each other” and be “defenders of free trade”, CCTV reported. China supported Europe’s self-reliance, Xi said, adding that China hoped Europe would work with China in the same direction and uphold their strategic partnership.
CCTV reported that Xi and Merz also discussed Ukraine amid concerns in Berlin and elsewhere in Europe over China’s support, tacit or otherwise, for Russia.
Merz told reporters after the talks that he asked the Chinese government to use its influence to end the war in Ukraine.
“We know that signals from Beijing are taken very seriously in Moscow. That goes for words as well as deeds,” he said.
He added that he would “like to expressly welcome China’s commitment to peace in the region, which I heard today”.
Xi told Merz that China supports a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine. “The key is to persist in seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiation,” he said.
But the Chinese president emphasised that talks would have to “address the legitimate concerns of all sides” and have “equal participation of all parties”, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Merz said that in his meetings he also touched on the issue of Taiwan, the self-ruled island China regards as part of its territory, saying any “reunification” must be done peacefully.
After the meeting, the two sides released a joint statement saying they supported efforts to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the United Nations Charter and principles and both sides were willing to resolve any concerns through frank and open dialogue, Xinhua reported
The joint statement also emphasised the importance of fair competition and mutual market access and said China and Germany were willing to continue dialogue on climate change and the green transition.
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