Xi Jinping spoke by phone with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

On the evening of December 20, 2022, President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier under the agreement.

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, a very important year in Sino-German relations. Thanks to the joint efforts of several generations of Chinese and German leaders, China-Germany relations have generally maintained a generally improving direction, and the two countries have become comprehensive strategic partners. The development of China-Germany relations is based on the deep foundation of public opinion, broad common interests and rich experience of success. As long as the two sides respect and benefit each other, China-Germany relations can definitely progress steadily and steadily. China is ready to work with Germany to elevate China-Germany relations to a new level and start the next 50 years of fruitful China-Germany relations.

Xi Jinping made three proposals regarding the development of China-Germany relations for the next phase:

First, both parties must adhere to the correct basic perception. China and Germany have always been partners in global dialogue, development, cooperation and problem solving. Both parties must continue to build and broaden consensus through dialogue, manage differences constructively and continue to enrich the contents of the partnership.

Second, Sino-German cooperation is pragmatic and open, which is the most important characteristic of the relationship that must be maintained. The volume of trade between China and Germany has increased 870 times over the past 50 years. The two sides should cherish the achievements of hard-earned cooperation, enhance market advantages, complementary capital and technology, expand cooperation in traditional fields such as automobiles, machinery and chemicals, and exploit the potential of cooperation in service trade, intelligent manufacturing and digitization. China treats German companies investing in China as equals and hopes that Germany will provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in Germany.

Third, lead the healthy and stable development of relations between China and the European Union (EU), which is the direction of cooperation between China and Germany. China supports the EU’s strategic autonomy and hopes that the European side will adhere to the fundamental position of China and Europe as strategic partners, adhere to mutual respect, mutual tolerance, pragmatic cooperation, mutual benefit and a win-win situation, and insists that China-EU relations are not aimed, rely to, or subject to any third party. We hope that Germany will continue to play an active role and cooperate with China to promote stable and lasting Sino-European relations.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China is ready to carry out broader and deeper cooperation with Germany to overcome global challenges such as the slowdown in economic recovery in the post-COVID period, climate change, food crisis and energy crisis.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “I am very pleased to have had a telephone conversation with President Xi Jinping on the eve of the end of the year. I have fond memories of my visit to China four years ago. This year, the international situation has undergone extraordinary and coincidental changes. with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China, which have been getting closer over the past 50 years, with various connotations and extensions and very fruitful cooperation.It has brought benefits to both peoples.Germany is firmly committed to the one-China policy and stands ready work with China to look back on the past, plan for the future, and promote the development of German-China relations in the spirit of mutual respect, openness and tolerance. I have full confidence in the bright future of German-China relations. Germany stands ready to strengthen communications with China , held a new round of government consultations h between the two countries in a timely manner, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, maintain close consultation and coordination in hot areas and to better cope with common challenges such as preserving biodiversity, energy crisis, food crisis, maintaining security and industry and supply chain stability and promote the resumption of world economic growth. Germany also appreciates China’s important contribution to the success of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and stands ready to actively promote the development of relations between Europe and China. »

The two sides also exchanged views on the crisis in Ukraine. Xi Jinping stressed that China is adamant about promoting peace and talks, saying that prolonging and complicating the crisis is not in everyone’s interest. China supports the European side in its pursuit of strategic autonomy and takes the lead in building a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture, so as to achieve lasting peace and long-term stability on the European continent.