Xi: Economic globalization at historic crossroad

World
Europe

Chinese President Xi Jinping gave his latest defense of globalization in the face of protectionist rhetoric coming out of the US as he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday.

China and Germany, two major trading nations and beneficiaries of globalization, should work together to make the process more inclusive and sustainable, Xi told Merkel, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi, arriving in Berlin after a tour of Moscow, said globalization is currently at a historic crossroad. China has emerged as a new champion of international business in an era when the Trump administration is bashing free trade as a killer of domestic jobs and Great Britain is withdrawing itself under Brexit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his wife Peng Liyuan (R) arrive in Berlin, Germany, July 4, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

This is the Chinese president's second state visit to Germany, where he will also attend the G20 Summit in Hamburg. From a Davos keynote speech in January to last year’s G20 Summit in Chinese city Hangzhou, Xi has consistently been using big occasions like these to endorse integration of the world economy.

On Tuesday, according to Xinhua, he recalled his meeting with Merkel in Hangzhou and said that China-Germany ties have made positive progress since then. He added that he expects this week’s visit to further strengthen the partnership.

Germany can help promote China’s relationship with the European Union (EU), Xi said, underscoring the significance of China-EU relations amid complicated international situations.

He told the German chancellor that China supports the EU to be "united, stable, prosperous and open" and that it welcomes German companies to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, the continent-spanning infrastructure and trade drive proposed by the Chinese president in 2013.

Merkel said Germany values China's role in international affairs and appreciates China's support for multilateralism, Xinhua reported.

Most activities of Xi’s Germany visit will take place on Wednesday, starting with a welcome for him at the German president's office, followed by official bilateral discussions with Merkel at the Chancellery.

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