Xi and Scholz speak in video conference about the economy and worsening global crises | News

In a wide-ranging discussion, Chinese and German heads of state and government agree that relations between the two countries are improving in several areas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have held talks by video at a time when the European Union is trying to reduce its dependence on the world’s second-largest economy.

“China sees Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and an important pole in a multipolar world,” Xi told Scholz from state broadcaster CCTV on Friday.

“It is hoped that Germany will urge the EU to uphold the principles of commercialization and fairness and work with China to ensure fair market competition and free trade,” he said.

The Chinese president also mentioned new policies to promote foreign investment in China and “major steps” such as “removing restrictions on the access of foreign investment in the manufacturing sector” and further opening up “cross-border services trade and investment.”

Tensions between China and the EU are rising, including over Beijing’s growing relationship with Russia and some of its unfair trade practices.

China is the EU’s second-largest trading partner, but the 27-nation bloc has also become more vocal about “reducing” its political and economic involvement in the country.

In September, the European Commission opened an investigation into Chinese imports of electric vehicles (EVs), which it said could unfairly benefit from government subsidies. The results of the investigation could impact not only Chinese electric vehicles, but also Chinese-made foreign electric vehicles such as Tesla and BMW.

The investigation is the most high-profile of its kind since the EU examined solar panels in 2013.

However, as Europe’s largest economy, Germany maintains friendlier relations with China than some of its EU counterparts thanks to its high bilateral trade volume. Scholz was the first European leader to visit Beijing after Xi began his third and unprecedented term in office.

Xi spoke of this close relationship in his meeting with Scholz, describing the two countries as “responsible great powers” that must “develop bilateral relations well and set an example of win-win cooperation,” according to state media.

They also discussed the deteriorating international situation as the world grapples with the war in Gaza and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

According to state media, China and Germany must protect the international order and multilateralism and work together to address global challenges, Xi said.

At their meeting last November, both leaders jointly condemned threats to use nuclear weapons as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated.

This time they spoke a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Moscow’s revocation of ratification of the landmark global nuclear test ban treaty, and amid Israel’s ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

State media said Xi pointed out that “whether it is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict or the Ukraine crisis, in order to resolve the root cause, it is necessary to think deeper about security issues and build a balanced, effective and sustainable one.” To promote security architecture.” “.