China, Germany emphasize multilateralism in meeting

Both China and Germany are beneficiaries and contributors to globalization, and the clamor for economic decoupling and industrial chain breakage is not in the interests of both sides and other countries, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during a virtual meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Noting the world is beset by ongoing geopolitical crises, the unabated COVID-19 pandemic, sluggish world economic recovery and complex and pressing global challenges, Wang called on China and Germany to further strengthen strategic communication and form synergy to inject more stability and positive energy into the world.

In particular, both sides should unequivocally uphold true multilateralism, promote greater democracy in international relations and safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations based on international law, he said.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Germany, Wang said China hopes Germany's new China strategy will remain positive and pragmatic so as to promote greater development of bilateral relations in the next five decades.

The sound and stable development of China-Germany relations serves the interests of both sides and is conducive to the two countries playing an active role in safeguarding world peace, stability and development, Wang said.

Noting China is an important partner of Germany, Baerbock said Germany is formulating a new China strategy and looks forward to taking the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further promote the development of bilateral relations.

Germany supports multilateralism and is firmly committed to strengthening European strategic autonomy, she said.

According to a press release on the Foreign Ministry's website, the two sides also exchanged views on the food problem caused by the spillover effect of the Ukraine crisis, the?Afghan issue and other issues.