Song Tao Meets with CDU Delegation
 ( 2019.05.20 )

Beijing, May 20th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation of Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU). The delegation was headed by Manfred Grund, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag and Secretary General of the CDU.

Song welcomed Grund to head the delegation to attend the 11th dialogue between political parties of China and Germany, which is themed with “Belt and Road Initiative and China-Germany third-party market cooperation”. Song expressed that at present, China-Germany all-round strategic partnership has enjoyed rapid development. President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Angela Merkel have kept frequent and close contacts, providing important guidance for bilateral relations. China and Germany are different in social system, ideology and development phase, but the CPC is willing to strengthen relations with the CDU on the basis of seeking common ground while reserving differences, mutual respect and mutual learning, increase political mutual trust between the two Parties, and promote practical cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Against the current international situation that is undergoing new important changes, China and Germany, as two influential major countries in the world, should enhance coordination and cooperation, jointly safeguard world peace and stability, maintain multilateralism and free trade, and promote the common development of mankind.

Grund said that the German side attaches great importance to developing relations with China. The CDU actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports the two countries in enhancing cooperation under the framework of the initiative, including third-party cooperation. There are some worrisome changes in the current international situation. The CDU stands ready to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the CPC, consolidate and deepen dialogue mechanism between the two Parties, and extensively exchange views on counter-terrorism, climate change, the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of common concern, so as to better tackle various international challenges. 

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

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