Xi Jinping tells German president China and EU must ‘stay anchored to their partnership’

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized on Friday that China and the European Union must maintain their partnership, stating that dialogue could resolve their differences. He told his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that cooperation outweighed competition, and urged both sides to stay anchored to their partnership and engage in dialogue equally.

Xi highlighted that China and Germany could project a positive signal to the world by choosing openness over closure and cooperation over confrontation. The Chinese leader noted that China and the EU were locked in disputes over industrial overcapacity and the trade imbalance, with the EU concerned about a ballooning trade deficit.

In response to the pressure, China has been strengthening economic ties with key EU partners. The German president's visit to China comes amid the country's economic strain from trade tensions and rising energy prices, particularly affecting its automotive sector. Xi stressed that China and Germany, as the world's second and third-largest economies, had a responsibility to ensure global economic growth.

He hoped Germany would view cooperation with China positively and maintain a rational, pragmatic policy based on mutual respect and equality. Steinmeier echoed Xi's sentiment, saying both sides could manage their economic and trade differences through dialogue to achieve mutual benefits and set an example for the world. The German leader also reiterated Germany's commitment to free trade and World Trade Organization rules, opposing protectionism.

Earlier in the week, Xi met Swiss President Guy Parmelin to sign an upgraded free-trade agreement, providing greater access in sectors like services, investment, and trade. Steinmeier's visit, which included stops in Hefei and discussions on Volkswagen's job cuts, aimed to address Germany's complex relations with China. Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a state house speakership, reflecting growing public discontent.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against a full economic decoupling from China, advocating for a balanced approach in supply chains. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun affirmed the complementary nature of China and Germany's economies and urged both sides to resolve differences through dialogue.