Beijing, March 19th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), held a video call here with Lars Klingbeil, General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Song said, China–German relations maintain a good development momentum at present. President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany have maintained close communication on the two countries’ joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening practical cooperation, providing important guidance for relations between the two countries. This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and will see German Bundestag election. In the new era, the Chinese side is willing to work with the German side to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to further intensify high-level exchanges, conduct institutionalized dialogues between political parties and strengthen exchanges of young politicians, so as to promote the continuous development of China-Germany all-round strategic partnership. It is hoped that the CPC and the SPD, which are both centuries-old parties, will continue to uphold the concept of multilateralism, push the joint efforts to address global challenges such as climate change, promote the development of China-Europe relations, and inject more positive energy into the international community.

Song introduced upon enquiry the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the Long-Range Objectives through the Year 2035, which were deliberated and adopted at China's NPC and CPPCC Session. Song said, the CPC will continue to uphold the people-centered development concept, ground our efforts in the new development stage, apply the new development philosophy, create a new pattern of development, and strive to promote the common prosperity of all people. This will also create broad space for Germany and the European Union to strengthen cooperation with China.

Klingbeil congratulated on the centenary of the founding of the CPC as well as the successful convening of the “two sessions” and appreciated China’s achievements in sustainable economic and social development. He said that the SPD has always attached great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to deepen dialogue and exchanges with the CPC, jointly promote bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, energy, artificial intelligence, ecological and environmental protection and other fields, facilitate the implementation of China-EU investment agreement, and safeguard the international system underpinned by international law and multilateralism, so as to contribute to the world’s stability and development.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, was present.

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