Beijing, January 17th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Olaf Scholz, Vice Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Germany.

Song noted that China and Germany enjoy extensive common interests. Promoting the sustained and sound development of China-Germany relations is conducive to the fundamental interests of both countries and also injects more positive energy into the world. The CPC and the SPD have maintained sound relations over the years, playing an important role in improving relations between the two countries. Against the profound and complex changes in current international situation, both Parties should enhance exchanges, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation more than ever, so as to make joint efforts to maintain multilateralism and an open world economy as well as facilitate world peace and development. We are willing to, together with the SPD, join hands in building a new type of inter-party relations featuring seeking common ground while reserving differences, mutual respect and mutual learning to promote China-Germany and China-Europe relations for constant development.

Scholz expressed that Germany-China relations have maintained sustained development in recent years, with sound communication and coordination between both countries in international and regional affairs. Exchanges between the two Parties have played an important role in this regard and should be continuously enhanced. Serving as both Vice Chancellor and SPD Vice Chairman, I stand ready to make full use of my dual identities to continue facilitating relations between both Parties and both countries, push bilateral cooperation in finance and insurance, jointly maintain multilateral trading system and safeguard multilateralism.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, was present at the meeting.

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