BEIJING (AP) — There are many things that China and Germany do not see eye-to-eye on — notably Russia's war in Ukraine — but the leaders of the world's second and third largest economies nonetheless pledged Wednesday to work to deepen ties in an era of global turbulence.
Both countries have been buffeted by the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, who lauded his import tariffs in a State of the Union address delivered just hours before German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met separately with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
“The more turbulent and complex the world becomes, the more China and Germany should strengthen strategic communication and enhance strategic mutual trust,” Xi said at the government's Diaoyutai state guesthouse, a leafy and sprawling property dotted with grand buildings.
He noted the year had not begun peacefully and said, as he has before, that the world is undergoing the most profound changes since the end of World War II.
Merz replied that although the two countries have issues and challenges to discuss, they should “emphasize the things we have in common and face the challenges we stand before together.”
He called for collaboration “wherever possible” in an earlier meeting with Li, the country’s No. 2 leader, and said he hoped to develop a good personal relationship with both Chinese leaders.
Merz, on his first trip to China since taking office last May, has championed building a stronger Europe both economically and militarily to assert itself in the shifting new world order.
Before departing for Beijing, Merz indicated he would press for a fair economic playing field for German companies and China’s assistance in bringing about an end to Russia’s four-year-old war in Ukraine.
He stressed that for all the differences Europe has with China, “the big global political problems can no longer be tackled today without involving Beijing.” Cooperation is needed to resolve crises and wars, including that in Ukraine, he said, noting that “Beijing’s voice is heard, including in Moscow.”
Many European governments have been frustrated that China hasn’t done more to pressure Russia to end the fighting. It has maintained trade and close diplomatic ties with Russia and said its position on the conflict is impartial and objective.
Source: WPLG
