China, Germany holds ‘comprehensive, pragmatic, candid, and constructive’ dialogue: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held the 8th round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Berlin on Thursday local time. The Chinese diplomat calls on the two countries to build a more reliable, stable, and predictable comprehensive strategic partnership.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, and also ushers in a new decade for the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany. China-EU and China-Germany relations now stand at a crucial juncture, where the past is being carried forward and the future is being forged, Wang said, according to a readout on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Chinese top diplomat emphasized that sound development of China-Germany relations will not only promote the overall improvement of China-EU ties, but also contribute significantly to global stability and development. As the world’s second and third largest economies, China and Germany shoulder important international responsibilities and expectations. The two sides should work hand in hand to reaffirm mutual trust, consolidate cooperation, and deepen bilateral relations, Wang said.
In the face of a volatile international landscape, which is marked by rising protectionism, anti-globalization sentiments, and unilateral bullying, China and Germany must strengthen strategic communication and coordination, Wang noted.
The stability of China-Germany relations can provide much-needed certainty to the world. Both sides should jointly uphold and practice multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, defend the international order based on international law, and maintain the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter, he noted.
Together, China and Germany should strive to build a more reliable, stable, and predictable all-round strategic partnership, Wang said.
China-Germany relations have remained stable and resilient through the ups and downs of the international landscape. The most important lesson from this steady development is the adherence to mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and pursuing win-win cooperation. This is the fundamental logic underpinning the continued growth of China-Germany ties. China and Germany differ in historical backgrounds, cultures, and social systems, and such differences are natural, Wang said, noting that what matters is enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and approaching divergences with calmness and reason.
China places great importance on its relations with Germany in the context of its overall diplomacy, and appreciates the new German government’s constructive and rational approach to developing ties with China. Just as China unconditionally supported Germany’s reunification, we hope the German side will, in turn, support China’s efforts toward complete national reunification and adhere strictly to the one-China principle, Wang said, noting that as a key member of the EU, Germany has played a positive role in advancing China-EU relations. We hope Germany will continue to make constructive contributions to the development of these ties.
Germany is willing to be a reliable and predictable cooperation partner for China. In a world full of crises and challenges, it is crucial for Germany and China to maintain close communication and coordination, the German Foreign Minister Wadephul said, per the readout.
The two countries share a long history of exchanges and a solid foundation for partnership. There is consensus on many issues, and at the same time, both sides are able to handle differences and disputes with mutual respect and a constructive attitude. Germany looks forward to deepening exchanges with China and strengthening bilateral cooperation, Wadephul said. The German government remains firmly committed to the one-China principle, he noted.
Following the dialogue, the two foreign ministers met with reporters together and called this round of the dialogue comprehensive, pragmatic, candid, and constructive.
The meeting enhanced mutual understanding and expanded areas of consensus between the two sides, and both parties agreed that the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership should continue to develop along the right track of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, according to another readout released by the Chinese foreign ministry.
And the two sides agreed to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation to jointly accomplish three key tasks including consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, enhance the quality of bilateral cooperation and uphold multilateralism.
China welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China later this year, and both sides have agreed to hold the 8th round of China-Germany inter-governmental consultation at an early date. On Taiwan question, to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, it is imperative to firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” and avoid sending any wrong signals to separatist forces, Wang said.
Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation is a strategic choice for both countries, serving as the “ballast stone” of bilateral ties and aligning with the German government’s focus on economic development, Wang said. The two sides also had in-depth discussions on respective economic and trade concerns and agreed to establish a more stable, predictable, and trustworthy policy framework for practical cooperation.
On the China-EU relations, there are currently attempts to undermine China-EU relations — by exaggerating specific issues, securitizing economic and trade matters, or clinging to ideological bias against China while wrapping oneself in a cocoon of disinformation. However, denying past achievements only clouds one’s vision for the future, and failing to respect the efforts of predecessors amounts to denying one’s own present, Wang said.
Wang emphasized that the tide of the times and the momentum of progress are unstoppable. China-EU relations will only move forward — they will not stagnate, and even less so regress.
China’s policy toward Europe has always maintained stability and continuity. China firmly supports European integration, supports Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, and supports Europe in playing the role of a key pole in a multipolar world, the Chinese top diplomat said.
Regardless of whether Europe is in times of prosperity or adversity, China’s policy has never changed. No matter how the international or European landscape evolves, China’s position remains consistent, Wang said.