Photo:VCG

China and Germany have pledged to enhance mutual understanding and refrain from "microphone diplomacy" on the basis of mutual respect on Thursday when Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock via video link.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, an important year for both sides to commemorate, Wang said. Over the past 50 years, China and Germany respect each other and promote economic development and establish an all-round strategic partnership.  

Wang congratulated again Baerbock on her appointment as the foreign minister of Germany. 

Baerbock expressed her pleasure to hold the first meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister as the first foreign minister of the new German federal government and sent best wishes for a happy Year of the Tiger in advance.

China and Germany should strengthen the political design of high-level exchanges in the next phase, and lead the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations together, and welcome the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in a more positive manner, Wang noted.

China-Germany ties have been resilient and stable. "Over the past 50 years, the bilateral trade volume between China and Germany has increased by over 800 times," Wang said.

In 2021, the bilateral trade between China and Germany reached a record high despite the impact of the pandemic, which fully demonstrated the complementarity and the resilience of the two economies, Wang said.

The two sides should jointly create new highlights for cooperation in the sectors including the digital technology, communications, service trade, agricultural science and technology, as well as green development, Wang noted.

China welcomes German companies to expand their investment in China and hopes Germany will uphold the principle of fairness and impartiality, excluding external interference, providing a good business environment for Chinese companies in Germany, Wang said.

Taking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity, Germany is committed to develop a stable partnership with China and will continue to pursue the one-China policy, deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields; Germany is willing to treat all the enterprises in Germany, including Chinese companies, equally, Baerbock said.

The two sides agreed to hold proper celebrations for the 50th anniversary, and prepare for the seventh round of China-Germany government consultations, and strengthen planning for future cooperation. The two sides will give full play to the role of dialogue mechanisms at various levels, including the high-level financial dialogue and the strategic dialogue on foreign affairs and security.

The two countries exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on multilateral affairs. China and Germany are both countries with global influence and an important driving force for China-EU relations; we should not only consider bilateral cooperation, but also focus on promoting China-EU cooperation, in addition to regional and global development, Wang said. 

Facing multiple global challenges, cooperation between the two countries holds significant meaning, Baerbock noted. Germany attaches great importance to China's important role in the international community and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly address climate change and combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The both sides also exchanged opinions on the Iranian nuclear issue.