Foreign and Military Affairs
China, Germany for stronger trade ties
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-16 09:13
 |
Large Medium Small |
Nations plan more business investments, protection of IPRs
China and Germany on Friday reiterated their mutual commitment to strengthen economic ties and negate the effects of the global financial crisis, while at the same time keeping open lines of communication on human rights issues.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi welcomed his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Friday for their first meeting.
 Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (right) shares a light moment with German Vice-Chancellor Guido Westerwelle in Beijing on Friday. [Wu Zhiyi] |
"Germany has attached great importance to further increase its business investments in China," said Westerwelle, who serves in the dual roles of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor.
The German foreign minister is currently leading a 10-member business delegation to China.
In the joint press briefing, Yang said China is ready to work with Germany to enhance trade cooperation, and vowed to continue to protect intellectual property rights.
While the two sides hold differing views on several human rights issues, both nations agreed to continue their talks on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in the other nation's domestic affairs.
However Westerwelle said any development of nuclear weapons by Iran was "unacceptable," and that Germany was ready to extend UN sanctions if the ongoing negotiations with Teheran fail.
While economic cooperation and human rights issues top the German Foreign Minister's agenda, local media reports have raised doubts on the German government's stance on Tibet, press freedom and freedom of speech, and said differences could damage trade ties.
China's former ambassador to Germany Mei Zhaorong, however, downplayed these concerns and said human rights and economic cooperation are two different matters that should not interfere with each other.
"China is open and always ready to have a dialogue on human rights issues with Germany," Mei said, adding that a positive dialogue will facilitate healthy development of trade.
However, he noted the dialogue should be conducted on an equal footing and with mutual respect. Germany should not try to force its point of view on China, Mei said.
Lian Yuru, a professor at Peking University's school of international studies, said that despite the change of government in Germany, their common goal of developing economic ties remains the same.
"Both China and Germany are looking at how strengthening economic ties can help their respective economies and citizens to overcome the consequences of the financial crisis. This is the main focus of bilateral ties and would benefit both sides," she said.
Westerwelle said China would hold a series of cultural activities in Germany this year to foster mutual understanding in both the political and cultural sectors.
During the one-hour, closed door talks, Yang invited German leaders to attend the World Expo 2010 Shanghai in May.
Yang is also expected to attend an international security conference in Munich next month. This will be the first time that a Chinese foreign minister is taking part in the meeting.
Westerwelle is scheduled to depart from Beijing on Saturday. The German foreign minister also called on Premier Wen Jiabao and Zhang Ping, director of China's National Development and Reform Commission.
