German President Steinmeier meets with Xi Jinping

(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that China's huge trade surplus with Germany should be reduced. "What we hope to establish is a close economic and trade relationship, and this relationship should bring sustainable benefits to both parties."

Steinmeier also said that the economic ties between Germany and China are extremely dynamic. "With such a high level of vitality, it is only natural that we regularly review the basic framework of our cooperation."

Steinmeier's statement also echoed his speech at Peking University the day before. He said in his speech, "If we Europeans find that our companies cannot enter the Chinese market, or can only enter under strict restrictions, while at the same time, China's export products that receive state subsidies are pouring into our market...then we will face the risk of falling into 'unilateral vulnerability'."

Xi Jinping stated in the opening remarks of the meeting that China attaches great importance to the development of the "all-round strategic partnership" between China and Germany and believes that the two countries should play a leading role in building a new cooperation model based on equality, mutual benefit and strategic stability. "This new model sends a positive signal to the world: we advocate openness rather than closure, and cooperation rather than confrontation." Xi Jinping also emphasized that China-Germany relations are opening a new chapter.

Call on Xi Jinping to join hands in safeguarding the rules-based international order

During the meeting, Steinmeier also expressed his admiration for China's huge improvement in economic strength, technological level, and political influence. "At the same time, we both bear responsibilities for the international order, which is the condition on which countries around the world maintain and shape their mutual relations; we also share the responsibility for maintaining the common rules we follow." The German president said with some concern that although Germany and China have greatly benefited from the rules-based international order for decades, "However, in many parts of the world today, we see that this order is under pressure; we see the rules being violated, and we also witness that 'might makes right' seems to be on the rise."

During the meeting, the two sides also mentioned the crisis and war in the Middle East, Sudan, and Russia and Ukraine. Steinmeier called on Xi Jinping to work together to maintain and strengthen the foundation of the global order. "The world needs China to help maintain this order."

Before the talks began, Xi Jinping also held a grand welcome ceremony for Steinmeier outside the Great Hall of the People, including a 21-gun salute.

Earlier in the day, the German President also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He also mentioned the trade deficit between Europe and China, and also praised the recent agreement between Europe and China on export quotas for hybrid vehicles to Europe, saying that this shows that "even in difficult circumstances, we can always find a solution to the problem." Li Qiang praised Steinmeier as "China's old friend for many years."

Steinmeier set off from Berlin to visit China on October 26. He first went to Anhui to visit the German Volkswagen R&D Center, etc., and then went to Beijing to continue talks with people from all walks of life in Europe and China. With the conclusion of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Steinmeier met intensively with Chinese political figures in the last two days of his trip. According to the itinerary, he will return to Germany on October 31.