China and Germany "should and can become the guardians of globalization" and should jointly oppose "decoupling and breaking the chain", Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday.
Qin made the remarks when meeting with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Beijing. The meeting was held under the framework of the China-Germany strategic dialogue on diplomatic and security affairs.
China hopes that Germany will take a long-term, global perspective when it comes to Chinese investment in the country, and provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, open and non-discriminatory market environment.
Qin noted that both countries have always respected each other, sought common ground while reserving differences, and achieved mutual benefits. These actions have not only furthered China-Germany cooperation, but also driven the development of China-Europe relations, while contributing to global peace and stability.
Noting that the relationship between China and Germany has played a greater role amid the chaos of global changes, Qin said that the two major countries should uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly defend multilateralism and the basic norms of international relations based on the UN Charter, and strengthen coordination within multiple frameworks.
On the Ukraine crisis, Qin deeply illustrated China's stance, stressing that the only solution is to persuade and promote peace talks.
Noting that ignoring the legitimate security concerns of other countries will make crises and conflicts inevitable, Qin reiterated that China has always been on the side of peace and will as always and will maintain its constructive role in promoting the cessation of war and resumption of talks and a political solution.
For her part, Baerbock appreciated the opportunity to ride the high-speed railway together with Qin and to visit German enterprises in China.
"I was impressed by the speed of China, and the results of German-Chinese cooperation are amazing," she said, adding that she looks forward to the resumption of dialogue between the two countries in various fields as soon as possible.
In response to Germany's statement that it adheres to the One-China principle but is concerned about the current tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Qin stressed at a joint presser after the bilateral meeting that it is important to first clarify the basic fact that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory, and that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, which is the core tenet of the One-China principle.
Earlier this morning after his visit to Uzbekistan, Qin visited local German companies with Baerbock in Tianjin and then they came to Beijing together by high-speed train, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said on Friday at a regular presser.