FM highlights global influence of German ties

China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies as well as major countries with a world influence, and their relations "have global significance beyond bilateral context", Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang commented during a meeting with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, in Beijing on Friday.

The two sides "also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany.

Under the current situation, stabilizing and developing China-Germany relations will not only bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples but also inject more stability and provide more certainty to the world, Wang said.

China is willing to further strengthen communication with Germany, consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen cooperation and promote the stable development of bilateral relations.

Wang pointed out that China and Germany are partners with great potential for cooperation, and "the development of the two countries is an opportunity, not a challenge, for each other".

The two sides should adhere to the correct perception and view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, he added.

He emphasized that the two countries should insist on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and continue to promote practical cooperation based on an open attitude, rational spirit and market principles.

Meanwhile, Beijing and Berlin should "stick to seeking common ground while shelving differences, focus on cooperation", make the pie for collaboration bigger and "properly resolve their differences amid common progress and development", Wang said.

He called on the two countries to uphold solidarity and cooperation, oppose bloc confrontation, reject protectionism and refrain from "de-risking" and disengaging China, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

China and Germany should encourage the international community to strengthen solidarity and coordination, improve global governance and make contributions to world stability, development and prosperity, he added.

Plotner said Germany attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and speaks positively of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, recognizing and praising China's development achievements.

Berlin is glad to see China playing a more important role in the international arena and looks forward to strengthening strategic dialogue with China and further expanding cooperation in various fields, he said.

He stated the hopes that the two countries will jointly promote the global green transition, make new contributions to tackling climate change and promoting world peace and development, and realize mutual benefits and win-win situations.