Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to deepen cooperation on free trade and multilateralism during high-stakes talks at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Their meeting came as both countries seek to navigate economic headwinds and geopolitical shifts in an increasingly polarized world.
Wang, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized China's commitment to working with Germany as 'strategic partners' to counter rising protectionism. 'The world is moving inexorably toward multi-polarity,' Wang stated, calling for strengthened EU-China collaboration to 'provide more certainty to a volatile world.'
The discussions gained urgency ahead of the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations this year. Both sides agreed to accelerate solutions for economic friction points, including ongoing negotiations over EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Scholz affirmed Germany's opposition to trade wars, stating: 'We must resolve frictional issues constructively.'
Beyond trade, the leaders addressed global security challenges. Wang outlined China's position on the Ukraine crisis, noting shared interests with Europe in pursuing peaceful resolutions and sustainable security frameworks. The foreign minister also met with Friedrich Merz of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, signaling cross-party commitment to bilateral cooperation.
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FM Wang Yi says China is willing to uphold free trade with Germany
cgtn.com
