Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang (left) shakes hands with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during their meeting in Berlin, Germany, on May 9, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
BERLIN – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday called on China and Germany to stick to the right path, jointly oppose the "new Cold War" and "decoupling economies or severing supply chains," and inject confidence and impetus into world peace and prosperity.
Qin made the remarks during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Berlin.
China and Germany are both among the major countries with global influence, Qin said, noting that the two countries should strengthen dialogue and cooperation under the current international situation featured with interwoven turmoils.
The two sides should join hands to make a good preparation for the seventh round of China-Germany intergovernmental consultation, accumulate achievements and make comprehensive plans for practical cooperation in various fields in the future, he added.
Qin elaborated on China's position, stressing that China's consistent position is to facilitate talks for peace, and to promote the international community to form the greatest common denominator for a political solution to the crisis
Facing various global issues and challenges, countries should cooperate rather than confront, should mutually respect rather than finger-point at each other, Qin said.
Baerbock said Germany attaches great importance to bilateral high-level exchanges as well as exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and looks forward to holding the seventh round of Germany-China intergovernmental consultation, which will be the first post-pandemic offline consultation and the first between the new governments of the two countries.
READ MORE: China: Trade is 'anchor' of relations with Germany
She said Germany is ready to work with China for positive outcomes of the consultation with a focus on joint efforts, sustainability and action, especially in promoting cooperation on climate change, energy transformation, biodiversity and youth exchange.
The two sides exchanged views on the Ukrainian issue. Qin elaborated on China's position, stressing that China's consistent position is to facilitate talks for peace, and to promote the international community to form the greatest common denominator for a political solution to the crisis. European countries were urged to address both the symptoms and the root causes of the crisis, and make efforts for the restoration of peace and security.
Qin is on a visit to Germany, France and Norway from May 8 to 12 at the invitation of his German, French and Norwegian counterparts.
This photo taken on July 11, 2022 shows a scene of the welcome ceremony for the 10,000th trip made by China-Europe freight train operated by the China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing) in Duisburg, Germany. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Concerned with ‘de-risking’ allegations
The two ministers held a joint press conference following their meeting on Tuesday.
When asked about the notion of "de-risking" through diplomacy of relations with China, a term coined by Germany and the EU, Qin said it is necessary to identify risks and figure out where they come from first when talking about "de-risking".
ALSO READ: Qin: China, Germany vital partners with shared interests
China does not export its system, sticks to its peaceful development path, pursues an opening-up strategy featuring mutually beneficial and win-win results, abides by and upholds the international order based on international laws, opposes acts of hegemony, domineering, and bullying, Qin said, adding that China will never perpetrate activities like sabotaging the Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
We must firmly stand against the 'decoupling with others and severing supply chains', maintain keen vigilance against the 'new Cold War' and join hands to ensure a stable and smoothly-functioned international industrial and supply chains.
Qin Gang, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister
He emphasized that China is willing to join hands with other countries to meet challenges together and build a community with a shared future for mankind. The country will also continue to pursue the strategy of high-standard opening up, and will create a conducive investment environment based on a market economy, rule and order, and internationalization.
Qin commends the announcement by Germany and the EU of not seeking to decouple from China.
"We appreciate the announcement by Germany and the EU that they would not seek to decouple from China, but we're still concerned about the allegations by the EU regarding 'de-risking'", Qin said.
If (some countries or parties) pursue de-sinicization in the name of de-risking, they would be actually breaking away from opportunities, cooperation, stability and development, said Qin.
READ MORE: Wang urges stable development of China-Germany relations
"We must firmly stand against the 'decoupling with others and severing supply chains', maintain keen vigilance against the 'new Cold War' and join hands to ensure a stable and smoothly-functioned international industrial and supply chains," He added.
Support Europe’s strategic autonomy
During the press conference, Qin also stated that China supports the development path chosen by the European people and supports Europe in achieving strategic autonomy.
Noting that Tuesday is the "Europe Day" and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-European Union (EU) comprehensive strategic partnership, Qin said China has always maintained a stable and continuous EU policy.
He said China and Europe should work together to build a better tomorrow with lasting peace and universal security.
Taiwan's return to China is part of the international order after World War II, Qin said, noting that any party who sincerely hopes for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and is sincerely committed to maintaining the international order should strictly abide by the one-China principle and resolutely oppose any act of "Taiwan independence."
ALSO READ: China extends import duties on optical fibers from US, EU
The Ukraine issue is highly complex, simplicity and emotionalism are not the solution, Qin said. The only way out is to remain calm and rational and create conditions for a political solution, he noted.
A man walks past damaged buildings in Mariupol, Jan 27, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
"China is neither the creator of the crisis, nor a party directly concerned, but an advocate of peace and a promoter of peace talks," Qin said, voicing the hope that German will play a leading role and put forward concrete proposals for building a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework.
Oppose unilateral sanctions
While responding to a question about possible EU sanctions on Chinese companies for alleged cooperation with Russia, Qin underlined that China resolutely opposes long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions against other countries based on one's own laws, and will take necessary actions to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
READ MORE: China’s peacemaker status grows taller
He said China does not sell weapons to parties involved in the Ukraine crisis, and handles the export of dual-use items prudently and in accordance with laws and regulations.
Normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be affected, he noted.