Germany-China talks to focus on Ukraine, climate change
June 20, 2023
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said direct talks between world leaders was more
important than ever after high-level talks with China's Premier Li Qiang in Berlin on
Tuesday.
Scholz said keeping the communication lines open was more vital that ever.
"Direct dialogue, face-to-face talks, a real exchange — all this is even more important than usual in these extraordinary times full of global challenges and crises," said Scholz.
Meanwhile, the German Chancellor said he "appealed again to the Chinese government to exert its influence even more strongly on Russia in this war," he said while standing alongside Li. "As a permanent member of the UN Security Council,
China carries a very special duty here."
"It is important that China continues not to deliver weapons to the aggressor, Russia," Scholz said, adding that he is "thankful" that Beijing's stance remains one against the use of nuclear weapons.
The governments of Germany and China are hoping to boost cooperation between their two countries in wake of the talks.
Chancellor Scholz and Li, who is on his first trip abroad since being named China's premier in March, led the meeting in the German capital.
On the Chinese side, a total of 10 government representatives took part in the consultations. On the German side there were nine.
Unlike previous visits by Chinese dignitaries, when pragmatic German leaders eager to expand business ties with the Asian giant rolled out the red carpet, Li's trip comes as Germany seeks a "balanced partnership" with Asia, Scholz said after Tuesday's meeting.
First China-Germany talks of this ilk since 2018
The last time Sino-German consultations at this level took place, in 2018, Angela Merkel was still German chancellor. Those talks covered a wide range of topics.
According to DW's Chief International Editor Richard Walker, the only thing that can be safely expected from this week's discussions is that the fight against climate change will be a key focus of the negotiations.
Walker said that Scholz was trying to achieve two things: "On the one hand demonstrate that Germany and China can work together on issues of mutual importance ... this year they wanted to really focus the consultations on the issue of climate change."
"At the same time, Scholz and the government here want to signal that it's not completely back to the old days where Germany's relationship with China was all about making money," he added.
The talks are also likely to address trade relations and Russia's war against Ukraine, which China is trying to mediate.
Li hopes for 'positive signal' from Berlin
Ahead of the talks, Scholz said he expected a "very important working meeting" from Tuesday's government consultations.
Li said he hoped for a deepening of cooperation and a "strong positive signal for stable international industrial and supply chains and world peace and prosperity."
In the afternoon, Scholz and Li are due to take part in an economic forum. The Chinese delegation then plans to travel on to Munich for talks with companies.
jsi, dh/nm (dpa, AFP, Reuters)
While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.