Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Germany to enhance strategic communication and deepen mutual trust, as the world faces growing turbulence and interconnection.
During talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing, Xi pointed out that China and Germany are the world’s second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world.
Noting that the current international situation is undergoing the most profound transformation since the end of World War II, he said the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership.
Xi put forward three suggestions for the further development of China-Germany relations.
First, both countries should be reliable partners that support each other, he said.
China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development, he said, adding that both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit.
China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, Xi said, expressing hope that the German side can view China’s growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship.
Second, he called on both countries to be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results. The German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development, and they highly resonate with China’s objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan, he said.
The two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies, he said, calling on both sides to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded.
Third, both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as major countries with profound cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges, so as to cement the popular foundation for China-Germany friendship, said the Chinese president.
Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central role of the United Nations, reinvigorate its leading role and take the lead in being upholders of multilateralism, practitioners of international rule of law, defenders of free trade and advocates of solidarity and coordination.
China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, said Xi, adding that he hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, February 25, 2026. /Xinhua
For his part, Merz said the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy, expressing willingness to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership.
The German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth, he said.
As the two countries shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism.
To pursue reliable and sustained economic and trade cooperation serves the interests of both the EU and China, and also contributes to the stability and prosperity of the world, he said, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi outlined China’s principled position on the crisis, saying that seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiation is key to the issue.
Xi noted the necessity of ensuring the equal participation of all parties to lay a solid foundation for peace, addressing the legitimate concerns of all sides to strengthen the will for peace, and achieving common security to build a lasting framework for peace.
The two sides also issued a joint press statement.
