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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on December 2, 2024 meets German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Beijing. Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday co-chaired the seventh round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Beijing, where Wang called on the two countries to overcome disruptions, eliminate obstacles and adhere to the main theme of dialogue and cooperation.

During the talks, Wang noted that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries and the joint efforts of the two peoples, China-Germany relations have generally maintained a growth momentum, which has not only brought important benefits to the two peoples, but has also become a stabilizer for China-EU relations and even the international situation, according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

"There are differences and disagreements between China and Germany, but differences should not be an obstacle to cooperation, and disagreements should not be a reason for confrontation," said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, adding that the positive results and valuable experiences achieved in China-Germany relations should be cherished and continued.  

Noting that China's recent opening-up measures have been well received by the intentional community, including the German business community, and there is greater potential for China-Germany pragmatic cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Minister said that the two countries should overcome disruptions and eliminate obstacles, adhere to the main tone of dialogue and cooperation, and abandon the obsolete Cold War mentality of confrontation. 

For her part, Baerbock said that the area of Germany-China cooperation is broad, and Germany attaches great importance to its relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, according to the statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Baerbock further noted that in the face of a turbulent world, maintaining candid dialogue and strengthening strategic communication with China is of great significance, and will help maintain the correct direction for the development of bilateral relations as well as contribute to global peace and stability. 

Positive role

"I think that this round of talks will be able to play a positive role in China-Germany relations, and will also play a positive role in helping stabilize China-EU relations," Zhang Jian, vice president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Monday.

Zhang noted that the future prospects for China-Germany economic and trade cooperation remain generally positive, and both sides should continue to move forward on the right track of pragmatic cooperation, making bilateral economic and trade ties mutually beneficial.

Meanwhile, "the EU economy is also highly dependent on trade, and it might depend on trade even more than China. Therefore, maintaining sound China-EU economic and trade relations is also crucial to Europe," Zhang said.

The comments came as China-EU ties have come under pressure due to Brussels' decision to slap hefty additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), drawing firm opposition from the Chinese side. 

During the talks on Monday, Wang said that the EU's imposition of high countervailing tariffs on Chinese EVs runs counter to the principles of fair competition and free trade, and has become a prominent issue between China and the EU. He urged Germany and the EU to view China's development objectively and rationally, adopt a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and properly handle trade disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Baerbock said that Germany supports the EU and China to continue negotiations over the EV anti-subsidy issue and strive to find a mutually acceptable solution, according to the statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.  

Germany has long opposed the EU's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs. Last week, some media reports suggested that China and the EU were close to reaching an agreement on prices regarding tariffs on Chinese EVs. Commenting on the reports, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that technical teams from both sides have engaged in intensive consultations and have made some progress.

Firm pushback  

Apart from the EV tariffs, during the talks on Monday, the Chinese and German foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Baerbock expressed hope that as a cooperation partner of the EU, China would play an active role, while Wang comprehensively and systematically elaborated on China's stance of promoting peace and facilitating talks, according to the statement.

Notably, ahead of her visit to Beijing, the German Foreign Minister reportedly made accusations against China over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Instead of taking responsibility for peace and security in the world as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is opposing our core European interests with its economic and weapons aid to Russia," Baerbock said in a statement, Reuters reported on Sunday.

On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry pushed back against the accusations. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that "on the Ukraine crisis, China has made clear its position many times. We firmly oppose groundless accusations, blame-shifting and political manipulation."

The EU is also reportedly proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it says helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine. Commenting on this, Mao Ning, another spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on November 26 that China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council. 

"On the Ukraine issue, China is committed to promoting talks for peace. China has never provided weapons to parties to the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, even drones for civilian use, and opposes using civilian drones for military purposes," Mao said. 

Zheng Chunrong, director of the German Studies Centre at Tongji University, said that the accusations against China's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict show the increased anxiety within the EU and its attempt to shift blame. 

"As the conflict drags on, Europe becomes more and more anxious, and they attempt to shift this pressure onto China by turning the normal economic and trade relations between China and Russia into so-called aid," Zheng told the Global Times on Monday. 

As for the talks on Monday, Zheng said that despite differences on certain issues, China has always insisted on maintaining candid communication with Germany, so as to avoid further misunderstanding or deliberate misinterpretations.

"The current international situation is full of uncertainties. China's willingness to engage in dialogue and communication also provides an opportunity for Germany," Zheng said, calling on Germany to focus on cooperation with China rather than "finger pointing."