President Xi Jinping has met with German President Joachim Gauck at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Gauck is on his state visit to China from March 20 to 24.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with visiting German President Joachim Gauck at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on March 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
This is Gauck’s first state visit to China since taking office four years ago. It is also his first time in China.
President Xi Jinping welcomed Gauck with a grand ceremony and reviewed the guard of honor.
Later in their discussions, Xi said both sides can cooperate with a third party in promoting the Belt and Road initiative, interconnectivity between Asia and Europe, as well as explore global markets. He mentioned China hopes to integrate its Belt and Road initiative with European development strategies.
Xi also said that China seeks international cooperation in terms of production capacity, which can then provide opportunities for Europe's investment plans. He mentioned China’s cooperation with eastern Europe can be extended to cover the whole of Europe.
Gauck recalled the political and economic achievements between the two countries, and acknowledged the openness and inclusiveness of the Belt and Road initiative. He said Germany will continue its cooperation and partnership with China.
The two presidents also jointly held a opening ceremony for the Year of Germany-China Youth Exchange 2016.
“I have held talks with President Gauck on consolidating and deepening Chinese-German comprehensive strategic partnership. And ensuring the success of the events in commemorating the Year of Germany-China Youth Exchange this year is the consensus reached by both of us. That will help boost friendship between our two peoples,” Xi said.
Foreign Ministry officials said increasingly enhanced mutual understanding and political mutual trust is the key for bilateral ties.
“Both sides also agreed to step up cooperation in international affairs. This year, China is the rotating chair of the G20 Summit, and next year, Germany will be the rotating chair of the same event. So the two sides agreed to step up our efforts in strengthening international financial governance and boosting world economic growth,” said Wang Shunqing, deputy director-general of Foreign Ministry’s Dept. of European Affairs.
China has the ‘Made in China 2025’ strategy and Germany has the ‘German Industry 4.0’ project. Both countries have placed emphasis on innovation and cooperation. This could provide more investment opportunities for German companies, and also help raise China’s industrial manufacturing to a new level.
