On Wednesday, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed bilateral ties, the pandemic, climate change, and other global challenges with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a farewell video call.
German government spokesperson Martina Fietz noted that the leaders discussed preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit, measures to combat the pandemic and climate change, and the European Union’s (EU) trade agreement with China. The leaders also celebrated the fact that diplomatic relations between Germany and China will complete 50 years in 2022.
Merkel said the EU should establish independent relations with China and resort to dialogue and exchanges to resolve any issues. The relations between the EU and China have deteriorated in recent months. The EU condemned China over human rights abuse in Xinjiang and sanctioned Chinese officials over their alleged involvement. In response, China sanctioned ten European officials. As a retaliatory measure, the EU suspended its investment agreement with China.
According to Chinese state-run media outlet CGTN, Xi called Merkel “a friend of Chinese people” and commended her for promoting bilateral and EU-China during her tenure as the German Chancellor.
Xi said, “In the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation, China and Germany have made full use of their economic complementarities and achieved win-win results. This proves that countries can avoid zero-sum games, and this should be the main tone of China-Germany relations.” In addition, Xi invited Merkel to visit China after she leaves the office. Merkel will continue to hold office until a new coalition government is formed in Germany.
Furthermore, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation with Germany in green energy and the digital economy and urged the EU to resolve differences constructively and peacefully. In this regard, he said, “We hope that the EU will uphold its independence, truly safeguard its own interests and the solidarity of the international community, and work with China and other countries to resolve the ‘challenge of the century’ - peace and development.”
Commenting on the steady relationship between China and Germany, Cui Hongjian, the director of the Department of European Studies at China Institute of International Studies, said, “It is rare to see the Chinese president speak so highly of a Western leader in recent years, and such evaluation was based on the steady and sound development of China-Germany relations over the past 16 years.”
China has similar expectations from Germany’s new Chancellor and also expects Merkel to continue to strengthen bilateral and EU-China ties from a different position.
On the contrary, during a separate event on Wednesday, Merkel urged German companies to expand their business strategies in the Asia Pacific region and not remain dependent on China. During the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), Merkel said, “Almost 50% of Germany's foreign trade in the Indo-Pacific region is accounted for in China. We should not overlook that the Asia-Pacific is more than just China.”
Merkel Discusses Bilateral Ties and Global Challenges with Xi in Farewell Call
German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed bilateral ties and China's relations with the European Union with President Xi Jinping during a farewell video call.
October 14, 2021
SOURCE: POLITICO EUROPE