WANG CALLS FOR IMPROVING BEIJING - BERLIN COOPERATION

BEIJING, SEPTEMBER 22 /SRNA/ – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for improving China -Germany cooperation and supporting free trade.

"Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is in the interests of both sides and represents the right choice for both countries," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. During a telephone conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Wang called on the two countries to send a positive signal of their joint commitment to multilateralism and free trade, strengthen confidence in the development of bilateral relations and play a constructive role in advancing China-EU relations, the China Media Group reported. Noting that China and Germany are major global economies and comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said that both countries, facing unilateralism and deglobalisation, need to strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation. "The two sides should appreciate the progress so far achieved, further deepen cooperation and make it more stable in order to continue achieving new results," Wang said. Wang expressed hope that Germany would nurture and develop the tradition of mutual trust and friendship between the two countries, adhere to the one-China principle and take concrete steps to protect relations between the two countries as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, thereby creating the necessary conditions for top-level exchanges between the two sides. Noting that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said that the two sides should not engage in a trade war. “China has consistently advocate position that China and the EU should move in the same direction and solve their concerns through dialogue and consultations,” Wang said. Wang expressed hope that Germany would keep a rational and pragmatic approach, play a positive role within the EU and contribute to the EU’s commitment to free trade, rejection of protectionism, and preservation of openness, cooperation, dialogue and consultations. Wadephul said that Germany-China relations have maintained a positive development trend in recent years. "Germany wants to further strengthen top-level exchanges with China, hold a new round of intergovernmental consultations between the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in fields such as trade and economy, and keep improving bilateral relations," Wadephul said. He stressed that Germany firmly adheres to the one-China policy and that this position will not change. Noting that the international situation is facing a series of new threats and challenges, Wadephul said that Germany expects China to use its influence in international and regional affairs and cooperate with Berlin in finding solutions. "Germany supports China and the EU in resolving their differences through dialogue and is ready to play an active role in it," he added. Wang said that an important consensus reached by China and Germany is that economic and trade issues between China and the EU should be resolved through dialogue and consultations. The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Iran and the Ukraine crisis. Wang reiterated China’s principled position, saying that China will do only what contributes to peace and remains committed to promoting peace negotiations. China is ready to keep strengthening communication and coordination with the EU and making joint efforts toward this goal, the China Media Group reported.