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Qin Gang and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Jointly Meet the Press

2023-05-09 23:55

On May 9, 2023 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock jointly met the press in Berlin.

Qin Gang said that the main purpose of his visit to Germany is to prepare for the upcoming seventh round of China-Germany inter-governmental consultations. This will be the first offline inter-governmental consultations between the two sides since the outbreak of the pandemic and the first comprehensive engagement between the two countries’ new governments. The two sides agreed to make all-out efforts to prepare for the consultations and make comprehensive plans for practical cooperation in various fields in the years to come. The two sides also agreed to step up coordination in multilateral areas and strengthen cooperation in COP28, biodiversity, and other areas.

Qin Gang stressed that as major economies in the world and all-round strategic partners, China and Germany should stay committed to strategic autonomy, enhance political mutual trust, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation, to serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the long-term well-being of humanity. China is ready to work with Germany to promote global economic recovery, maintain world peace and stability, and defend the post-WWII international order. Both sides should maintain and advance existing cooperation, create a favorable environment and stable expectations for cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, and provide stronger growth drivers for the global economy. Europe has experienced two world wars and the Cold War. Noting that achieving common security and lasting peace is a dream of German thinker Immanuel Kant, and lasting peace is an important goal in building a human community with a shared future, Qin Gang said China and Europe should jointly build a brighter future of lasting peace and universal security. The return of Taiwan to China is a part of the post-WWII international order. Any party that sincerely hopes for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and any party that is sincerely committed to maintaining the international order should earnestly abide by the one-China principle and resolutely oppose any “Taiwan independence” acts.

Noting that the Ukraine issue is highly complex, Qin Gang said that simplification and approach driven by emotions are not solutions. Staying cool-headed and rational and creating conditions for a political settlement is the only way out. China was not the one creating the Ukraine crisis, nor a party to the crisis. Instead, China is an advocate of the political settlement of the crisis and a promoter of peace talks. He expressed the hope that Germany will play a leading role in proposing specific plans for building a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture in Europe.

Qin Gang said that this day marks Europe Day and this year is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. China supports the development path chosen by the European people, backs the strategic autonomy of Europe, and maintains stable and consistent policies toward Europe. China is a key partner for Europe in addressing risks and challenges, and Europe is welcome to continue sharing China’s market opportunities and development dividends, so as to achieve the common development of Chinese modernization and European integration.

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