Xi Jinping speaks with ‘old friend’ Angela Merkel in diplomatic push
- Talks with German chancellor arranged at Chinese president’s request to discuss issues related to COP26 climate summit, European diplomat says
- Speculation grows that Xi will not travel to Europe for G20 summit this month or the climate meeting in November
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, bidding her farewell and emphasising the solidity of Beijing-Berlin relations, as part of a diplomatic flurry designed to steady European ties.
The leaders reviewed the development of China-Germany relations in a “friendly atmosphere” in their virtual meeting, state broadcaster CCTV reported, with Xi saying Merkel – due to step down after 16 years at the helm – was an “old friend”.
The engagement between China and Europe follows last week’s meeting between top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and the announcement last month of a security alliance between the US, the UK and Australia that has angered France.
Xi told Merkel that China and Germany have pushed for mutually beneficial cooperation and their economies complemented one another.
“China and Germany have developed well on their own and have made greater contributions to the world economy. This proves that the zero-sum game can be avoided completely between countries,” Xi was quoted as saying.
The common interests of China and Europe have overridden their differences, and Europe should remain independent in its foreign policies, he said.
“Both sides should look at China-EU relations from a broader perspective, see each other objectively … and handle their differences in a rational, peaceful and constructive way.”