Rio de Janeiro, November 20, 2024 – The Europe Today: Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday. President Xi highlighted global concerns over the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and expressed hope that Germany would continue to play a pivotal role in addressing the issue.
Reflecting on Scholz’s visit to China in April, Xi noted that both nations have achieved significant progress in areas such as green development, sustainable transportation, and agricultural cooperation with Africa. He described China-Germany relations as vibrant and dynamic, adding that the two countries have fostered a comprehensive strategic partnership that should be viewed from a long-term perspective.
“As the world’s second and third largest economies, China and Germany have a shared responsibility to contribute to global stability and development,” Xi said. He underscored the need to respect each other’s core interests, seek common ground while addressing differences, and enhance collaboration in areas such as digitalization, intelligence, and low-carbon initiatives. Xi also reiterated China’s commitment to providing extensive market opportunities for German companies, advocating for stronger bilateral cooperation and joint exploration of third-party markets.
Regarding broader relations with Europe, Xi affirmed that China considers Europe an essential pole in a multi-polar world and is committed to fostering robust China-EU relations to address global challenges.
Chancellor Scholz expressed Germany’s intent to further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, highlighting the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in tackling global complexities. He stressed the need for Germany and China to maintain open communication, resolve differences constructively, and achieve mutual benefits.
On the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Scholz voiced optimism that the issue could be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. He affirmed Germany’s readiness to play a positive role in facilitating a resolution.
The leaders also discussed pressing international issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East, reaffirming their shared commitment to addressing global challenges collaboratively.
The meeting underscored the enduring significance of China-Germany relations as a cornerstone of global economic recovery and growth amid an increasingly complex international landscape.
