Chinese FM stresses mutual understanding, support with Germany

MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Germany to understand and support each other, enhance mutual trust, strengthen collaboration, and jointly provide more stability and certainty to the world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference this year.

Upon their meeting, Wang conveyed cordial greetings from the Chinese leadership and congratulated the Munich Security Conference on its 60th anniversary as it has become an international security policy forum with global influence today.

Noting that the current international situation is undergoing frequent disorders with recurring hotspot issues and a sluggish global economy, Wang stressed that China, a responsible major country, will firmly act as a force for stability in the turbulent world.

He also noted that China supports Germany in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, Wang said the two sides should review the success in the past, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and pursue complementarity of advantages so as to benefit the two peoples.

China is focusing on advancing Chinese modernization, upholding high-quality development and pushing forwards high-level opening up, Wang said, adding that the march toward modernization of more than 1.4 billion people would bring an even greater market and long-term opportunities for all countries including Germany.

Wang called on the two sides to eliminate disturbances, stick to opening up and free trade, give full play to the role of economic and trade cooperation as ballast stones, and provide a predictable policy environment for this.

Scholz asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leadership and said that Germany is ready to prepare for high-level exchanges with China this year and promote more substantive achievements.

The German economy is deeply integrated into globalization and its development benefits from free trade, Scholz said, adding that the German side opposes protectionism, and decoupling and severing of supply chains.

Germany is glad to see China's development and revitalization and is willing to provide a sound business environment in Germany for companies from other countries, he said.

Noting that the current international situation is undergoing a difficult moment, Scholz said Germany is willing to work with China to play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability.

Also on Saturday, Wang met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soeder, among others.