China, Germany should jointly help stabilize world amid unilateralism, protectionism: FM

BERLIN - Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that China and Germany should help stabilize the world in the midst the rise of unilateralism and protectionism.

Wang made the remarks at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin.

Wang said the current international situation is undergoing unprecedented profound changes, with complicated and hotspot issues one after another, and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise.

As two responsible countries and comprehensive strategic partners, China and Germany should jointly influence the world positively and help stabilize the world, he said.

Wang said since China and Germany established new governments respectively in March, the two sides need to exchange their ideas in all fields. Especially when facing an international situation full of uncertainties, more coordination and mutual trust are needed to face up to various global challenges.

Therefore, the two sides will exert the roles of high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms in driving bilateral ties. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's successful China trip last week showed the high-level standard of China-Germany bilateral ties.

The two sides will hold the fifth round of inter-governmental consultation in July, which will further enrich China-Germany cooperation, said Wang.

The two sides will also support the healthy and stable development of two-way investment, added Wang, who noted that China's new round of market opening policies will provide German companies operating in China with broader space and more opportunities.

"The Chinese side hopes that Germany views Chinese investment in Germany with an objective and positive attitude, and also builds a fair and friendly environment and a stable legal framework."

The Chinese side appreciated Germany's open attitude toward the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomed Germany to take part in the initiative with concrete joint projects, according to Wang.

China will also build platforms for Chinese and German companies in the third party cooperation, in a bid to make more opportunities and make the market larger, Wang said.

China has always firmly supported Europe in choosing a path of integration. He added that China hopes the European Union will maintain unity, stability, openness and prosperity, and plays a key role on the word stage, said Wang.

"As major economies and maintainers of the existing world order, the two countries will also jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade," Wang told reporters, who added that the two sides will strengthen cooperation under the G20 framework, in a bid to play a constructive role in promoting world peace and regional stability.

With broad common interests, China-Germany cooperation has gone far beyond economic field, and the strategic importance of the China-Germany ties has also surpassed the bilateral scope, said Wang.

"We are willing to make joint efforts with the German side, upholding the spirit of justice, mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win deal, to further advance comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Germany, in a bid to better benefit the two countries and also the world," said Wang.