Premier Li’s Berlin trip sees the two sides pledge stronger cooperation, more economic exchanges
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center) receives Premier Li Qiang (left) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on June 20 ahead of the China-Germany intergovernmental consultation. (PHOTO / AP)
Premier Li Qiang called on June 20 for strengthened ties between China and Germany to better serve the development of both countries and inject more positive energy and stability into a turbulent world.
In talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Li, who began a four-day official visit on June 18, also urged Germany to base its actions on international rules and a “contractual spirit” when it comes to economic and trade cooperation, while maintaining an open attitude and being independent.
As influential major countries, China and Germany should work together more closely, Li said, adding that priority should be given to jointly responding to climate change and promoting green technology and industrial cooperation.
Li’s visit came amid rising rhetoric from some Western countries about “de-risking” from China.
At a meeting on June 19 with leaders of the German business community, including executives from Siemens, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Schaeffler and BASF, Li rejected the rhetoric of “de-risking” and “reducing dependence” on China, and urged adopting a balanced approach to the issue.
Economic globalization means the world economy is becoming more intertwined, but this does not necessarily mean insecurity. Li said all parties have security concerns, but it is essential to have a reasonable definition of risks and prevention. Improper handling of security issues could, instead, increase risks and create more significant problems, he said.
Risk prevention and cooperation are not opposites, Li said, adding that rejecting cooperation is the most significant risk, while lack of development is the most significant security issue.
All parties can use negotiation and cooperation to prevent risks from arising, he said.
Scholz assured Li on June 20 that Germany fully welcomes China’s achievements in development and prosperity, which contribute to world peace and stability.
Germany opposes any form of “decoupling”, he said, emphasizing that “de-risking” does not mean “decoupling” from China.
Scholz said that Germany remains committed to developing stable relations with China, and that it is willing to further strengthen exchanges and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Beijing.
Germany supports two-way investment and will provide a sound business environment for Chinese companies to invest in the country, he added.
Representatives of German companies also told Li that businesses eagerly look forward to continued and in-depth cooperation with China.
The German business community is confident about China’s economic development prospects and believes that China will continue to open up, they said in their meeting with Li on June 19. They said they are willing to increase investment in China, expand their presence in the Chinese market and further deepen Sino-German cooperation in responding to climate change, enhancing research and development capabilities and promoting digital transformation.
They also said that maintaining international cooperation is the right way to mitigate risks and that “decoupling” from China is not a solution.
China is the biggest trading partner of Germany with bilateral trade reaching around 300 billion euros ($327 billion) in 2022. Germany is also Europe’s largest investor in China.
Speaking at a joint news conference with the German chancellor on June 20, Li said the two countries have agreed to set up a mechanism on dialogue and cooperation on climate change and green transformation.
Both countries also agreed to hold a third high-level economic and financial dialogue as well as an environment forum and a health forum, Li said.
Against the backdrop of the complex changes in the international situation, rising de-globalization and the slow world economic recovery, China and Germany should cooperate to make greater contributions to world peace and development, he added.
On June 20, Li chaired the seventh China-Germany intergovernmental consultation together with Scholz in the German capital.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis.
Earlier, on June 19, during a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Chinese premier underlined the importance of China’s relations with Germany, saying Beijing stands ready to work with Berlin to uphold peace, development and cooperation in order to promote global stability, prosperity and growth.
There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Germany, and the foundation of bilateral relations is solid with strong development momentum, Li said, adding that he is fully confident about the prospects of Sino-German cooperation.
China has always supported openness and cooperation. It believes the biggest risk is noncooperation, and that the greatest security risk is lack of development, the premier said.
Steinmeier said that Germany wants to be a cooperative partner that China can trust to jointly uphold trade liberalization and cope with the challenges of climate change.
Germany opposes decoupling and bloc confrontation, and it is willing to strengthen communication with China and make concerted efforts to promote world peace and development, Steinmeier added.
During his four-day stay in Germany, Li attended the China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum and a roundtable discussion with Chinese and German entrepreneurs. He met with representatives from German industrial and business communities and visited some German companies in Bavaria.
In a written speech upon his arrival in Berlin on June 18, Li said his visit will carry forward the traditional China-Germany friendship and deepen their cooperation.
In recent years, Sino-German ties have seen steady progress, Li said, adding that bilateral cooperation has continuously deepened and expanded, with new achievements being made in areas such as economy and trade, technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and green development.
The premier pointed out that the seventh China-Germany intergovernmental consultation will be the first time the newly formed governments of the two countries will interact in an all-around manner.
China is ready to engage in frank and in-depth exchanges with Germany, based on the principles of respecting each other and seeking common ground, while resolving differences for mutual benefit and win-win results, Li said.
The primary objective is to properly handle all differences, so that the two countries send a positive and strong signal for upholding stable global supply chains and promoting world peace and prosperity, he said.
Noting that the times are uncertain and turbulent, the premier said the more chaos the world witnesses, the stronger the need for China and Germany and their peoples to carry forward their traditional friendship, enhance exchanges and cooperation, pool their wisdom, overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
