Chinese premier says willing to work with Germany for global stability

BERLIN - Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the presidential palace here on Monday.

Li conveyed warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Steinmeier.

As last year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations, Li said, Xi and Steinmeier exchanged congratulations and held a telephone conversation, providing strategic guidance for the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

China always attaches great importance to China-Germany relations, Li said, adding that his visit to Germany and co-chairing the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz aim to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously increase trust and clear doubts, explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, enrich the connotation of China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, and contribute to the development of both countries and global economic recovery.

Noting that there is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and Germany, and the two countries have a solid foundation for cooperation and a strong momentum for development, Li said China is full of confidence in the prospect of bilateral cooperation.

China always supports openness and cooperation and believes that the biggest risk is non-cooperation and the biggest hidden security danger is non-development, Li noted, adding that China is ready to work with Germany to uphold peace, development and cooperation, play a constructive role in contributing to global stability and prosperity, and provide more certainty to a changing and turbulent world. China's development is a positive contribution to the world and an important opportunity for all countries, he said.

For his part, Steinmeier asked Li to convey his sincere regards to President Xi, saying that Germany is willing to be a trusted partner of China to jointly safeguard trade liberalization and meet challenges such as climate change.

He said that Germany opposes decoupling and any form of camp confrontation, and is willing to strengthen communication with China to make joint efforts to promote world peace and development.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as the Ukraine crisis.

Wu Zhenglong, among others, was present at the meeting.