Xi Jinping Holds Talks with the German President

CCTV News (Xinwen Lianbo): On the afternoon of October 30, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with German President Steinmeier, who was visiting China on a state visit.

Xi Jinping said that in the more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Germany relations have maintained a high level of development and the two countries have always been friends who trust each other and partners who help one another succeed. At present, the once-in-a-century changes in the world are accelerating, and the aspects of change and disorder are becoming more prominent. As the world's second- and third-largest economies, China and Germany bear important responsibility for the development of China-Europe relations and stable growth of the world economy. They should strengthen communication and coordination and create a new model of cooperation that is equal, mutually beneficial and strategically stable, sending a positive signal to the outside world that openness, not closure, and cooperation, not confrontation, are needed. China is willing to work with Germany to open a new chapter in the two countries' all-round strategic partnership and promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system.

Xi Jinping stressed that stability over time is essential to good governance. China's policy toward Germany is consistent, stable and predictable. China attaches great importance to Germany's status as a major country, has always supported German reunification and development, and is pleased to see Germany play a greater role in European and international affairs. He hoped Germany would view China's development and cooperation with China with an open and positive mindset, adhere to a rational, pragmatic and friendly policy toward China, and uphold mutual respect and equality—valuable experience for the sustained and healthy development of China-Germany relations. Germany represents advanced manufacturing and high-quality products, while China is advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development; the two countries' development strategies align and there is broad space for cooperation. China is firmly advancing high-level opening-up, continually improving its business environment, and welcomes companies from all countries, including Germany, to deepen their roots in China and share the benefits of its huge market. China hopes Germany will uphold openness and inclusiveness and provide Chinese companies investing in Germany with a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment, so that practical China-Germany cooperation can grow stronger. China is willing to cooperate with Germany in artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon development, trade in services, the digital economy and other fields, jointly enhancing future competitiveness and adding dimensions and momentum to China-Germany cooperation. The peoples of China and Germany both have the fine qualities of diligence, wisdom and resilience, and both support China-Germany friendship. The two sides should support cultural, educational and artistic exchanges, facilitate people-to-people travel, and promote mutual understanding, creating a favorable atmosphere for jointly celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations next year.

Xi Jinping said that China has always regarded the European Union as a partner and developed relations with Europe with sincerity and goodwill. History and reality have repeatedly shown that China-Europe cooperation outweighs competition and common ground outweighs differences. The essence of China-Europe economic and trade relations is complementary strengths and mutual benefit and win-win results; the way to help one another succeed is mutual respect and mutual accommodation; and the key to coordinated development is to seek common ground while reserving differences, and to uphold fundamental principles while pursuing innovation. China-Europe relations have weathered ups and downs, and problems arising in the course of cooperation are problems of development and contradictions encountered in moving forward. As long as the two sides remain committed to their partnership and uphold equality in dialogue, differences and problems can always be resolved and will not obstruct the forward development of China-Europe relations. He hoped the European side would work toward the Chinese side and join hands to advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

Xi Jinping briefed Steinmeier on the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping said that to govern the country well, one must first govern the Party well, and only a thriving Party can make the country strong. Persistently advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance will surely receive broad support and approval from the people. The Communist Party of China is willing to conduct exchanges on governance experience with major political parties from countries around the world, including Germany.

Steinmeier said that he had visited China eight times over the past 25 years and had witnessed China's rapid development; each time, China had shown a new look. China has become a major world power with significant political influence and economic and technological strength, and Germany deeply admires the tremendous development achievements China has made under President Xi Jinping's leadership. Germany-China relations are close, mutually beneficial and dynamic. The two sides have always respected one another and engaged in equal dialogue, and cooperation in various fields has achieved tangible results and helped each other's development. Germany firmly follows the one-China policy and is confident in the prospects for bilateral relations. It is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in trade, science and technology, artificial intelligence, environmental protection and other areas, and promote people-to-people exchanges. The two sides can properly handle economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and set an example for the world. The international order is under pressure, and the world expects China to play a greater role. Germany is willing to work with China to shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding world peace and development, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard the authority of international law, support free trade and World Trade Organization rules, oppose protectionism and oppose trade wars.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony on the plaza outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People for Steinmeier and his wife, Büdenbender.

When Steinmeier arrived, honor guards stood in formation to pay tribute. The two heads of state mounted the reviewing stand; the military band played the national anthems of China and Germany, and a 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square. Steinmeier reviewed the honor guard of the Chinese People's Liberation Army accompanied by Xi Jinping and watched the march-past.

That evening, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan hosted a welcoming banquet for Steinmeier and his wife in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.