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Berlin: Chinese President Xi Jinping touted the need for greater cooperation between China and Germany amid “times of change and turmoil” in his first meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with talks expected to touch on Russia’s war on Ukraine, climate change and developing economic ties.
Scholtz’s visit on Friday was the first by a leader of a G7 nation to China in three years, and will test the waters of relations between Beijing and the West after years of mounting tensions, analysts say.
During their first face-to-face meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said that as large nations with influence, China and Germany should work together for the sake of world peace, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Scholz told Xi that it was good both leaders were meeting in person during tense times, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine creating problems for the rules-based global order, according to a Reuters reporter accompanying Scholz’s delegation. Scholz was hoping China could convince Russia to end hostilities.
Scholz also said that the two would discuss issues related to Europe-China relations, the fight against climate change and global hunger, and how to develop China-Germany economic ties, as well as topics where both countries’ perspective is different.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday before he left for a one-day visit to China.Credit:AP
The trip comes amid rising voices within Scholz’s ruling coalition calling for a rethink of Germany’s China policy, and growing public concern about Berlin’s commercial reliance on the global economic powerhouse.
One in two Germans wish their economy could be more independent from China, a survey published by ARD broadcaster showed on Thursday.
China has been Germany’s biggest trading partner for the past six years, with volumes reaching more than €245 billion euros ($277 billion) in 2021.
During meetings with Xi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang, the chancellor is expected to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, hoping that China can convince Russia to end hostilities.
Scholz has also been asked to press China on topics including its human rights record and opening its markets, but it is yet to be seen whether the visit will result in any real change on Beijing’s side.