Liu said, China and Germany are both major influential countries and major economies in the world. In November 2022, President Xi Jinping had in-depth exchanges with Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to China, which charted the course for the development of China-Germany relations. In the current world where uncertainties and instabilities are increasing, the Chinese side is willing to work with the German side to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, always view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, promote new development in China-Germany relations, and inject more stability and positive energy into the world. The Chinese side supports the European integration process and the European Union (EU)'s solidarity and self-improvement. It is hoped that the German side will play an important role within the EU, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Liu said, the relationship between the CPC and the SPD was built by the older generations of leaders from both Parties. Over the years, the two Parties have maintained close exchanges and in-depth dialogues, playing a constructive role in the development of China-Germany relations and China-EU relations, and making positive contributions to world peace and development. The CPC is willing to work with the SPD to take the upcoming 40th anniversary of the establishment of the relations between the two Parties as an opportunity, strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, maintain high-level dialogues, expand friendly exchanges in various fields, promote stronger economic and trade ties, and facilitate practical cooperation at local level, so as to make new contributions to the development of China-Germany relations.

Klingbeil said, the meeting between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Xi Jinping sent a positive signal to the world, and it is also of important guiding significance for the SPD to intensify exchanges and cooperation with the CPC. China's position and role in the world are constantly rising, and the resolution of many global issues cannot be achieved without China.  Europe needs to maintain strategic autonomy and address issues such as climate change, economic transformation, and energy through dialogues with China. It needs to seek common solutions rather than unilateral ones. Both the EU and Germany share close relations with China, therefore the EU and China, as well as Germany and China cannot be "decoupled" from each other. The establishment of relations between the SPD and the CPC nearly 40 years ago, driven by the older generations of leaders from both Parties, demonstrated remarkable political courage and foresight. The SPD is willing to have regular strategic dialogues with the CPC, have in-depth and candid exchanges of views on bilateral and international issues of common concern, and continue to play a constructive role in the development of bilateral relations.

Both sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and others attended the meeting.

Enditem