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China-EU relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China and Germany pledge closer economic cooperation and ‘smooth supply chains’

  • Vice-premier He Lifeng and Finance Minister Christian Lindner met in Frankfurt on Sunday for the first talks of their kind in nearly four years
  • Earlier, ambassador Wu Ken urged Europe to show more ‘self-confidence’ about Chinese electric vehicles and Huawei’s components

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Europe could be more open to Chinese-made electric cars, according to the Chinese ambassador to Berlin. Photo: AFP
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China and Germany agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and open up financial markets to spur economic growth and counter global challenges after resuming high-level talks in Frankfurt on Sunday.

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Both sides agreed to strengthen policy coordination and defend global financial security and global trade rules, according to a statement published by the Chinese finance ministry after the talks between Vice-Premier He Lifeng and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

The statement said they also agreed to “ensure smooth supply chains” without providing further details.

The talks came at a time when the two countries are struggling to manage the risk of economic downturn and follows the publication of a German plan to “de-risk” its relationship with China by reducing its reliance on goods produced in the country.

“China is ready to work with Germany... to deepen mutual benefit and win-win cooperation so as to inject more positivity in the China-German comprehensive strategic partnership,” He said, according to state agency Xinhua.

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The talks were the first China-Germany high-level financial dialogue to be held in four years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and come as Berlin is reassessing the relationship.

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