Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday during the Munich Security Conference, pledging to strengthen cooperation between the two nations to uphold free trade and practice multilateralism.
Wang Yi highlighted the recent high-level interactions between China and Germany, emphasizing that the positive momentum of practical cooperation aligns with the fundamental and long-term interests of both peoples.
“Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, but the world is moving inevitably towards multi-polarity,” Wang Yi stated. “As strategic partners, China and Germany, along with the European Union, should strengthen solidarity, coordination, and cooperation to uphold free trade and the authority of the United Nations.”
He expressed China’s readiness to deepen all-round cooperation with Germany, aiming to advance bilateral relations, safeguard global peace and stability, and provide more certainty in a volatile world.
Chancellor Scholz affirmed Germany’s commitment to its relationship with China. “Germany attaches great importance to relations with China and is willing to strengthen exchanges, dialogue, and communication at all levels,” he said. “We oppose protectionism and do not agree with a tariff war.”
Scholz expressed hope that the European Union and China could adopt a constructive attitude to resolve issues such as electric vehicle trade frictions promptly and jointly safeguard the free trade system.
The meeting also touched on the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi noted that China and the EU share the same goal in promoting a peaceful resolution and the necessity of building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework.
“China is willing to maintain communication with Germany and other relevant parties and continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks,” Wang Yi said.
Earlier, Wang Yi also met with Friedrich Merz, chairman of Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union. The two agreed to push for more success in bilateral cooperation during their meeting.
