Beijing, 4 Apr (ZXS) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang briefed reporters on the relevant situation after holding the sixth round of Sino-German diplomatic and security strategic dialogue with German Foreign Minister Baerbock in Beijing on 14 April.
Qin Gang said that the key to developing Sino-German bilateral relations lies in carrying out all-round exchanges, enhancing strategic mutual trust and avoiding strategic misjudgment. China and Germany are independent countries, and mutual understanding and exchanges should also be independent. China and Germany are partners, not opponents, and when formulating China-related strategic documents, Germany should proceed from the vital interests and well-being of China and Germany and the two peoples, and make a correct political choice. China and Germany should cooperate rather than confrontation, whether it is zero-sum confrontation or bloc confrontation.
Qin Gang said that economic and trade cooperation is the ballast stone of bilateral relations, and mutual benefit and win-win results are the "background" of China-Germany pragmatic cooperation. The dependence of China and Germany on the production and supply chain is the inevitable result of economic globalization and the optimal choice under market rules. As long as both sides remain open, there is no need to worry about so-called "dependency". The economic and trade volume between China and Germany has long accounted for nearly 3% of the total economic and trade between China and Europe, but we have never worried about "excessive dependence" on Germany, nor do we think that this will bring any "risks" to China. Artificially putting on the brakes on normal economic and trade cooperation will be counterproductive and the gains outweigh the losses.
In response to a reporter's question about the role of China and Germany in world peace and development, Qin Gang said that today's world is becoming chaotic and turbulent, becoming more and more noisy, more and more fanatical, and more and more prone to extremes, which is deeply worrying. What's wrong with the world? Where are humanity going? What should China and Germany do? We need to think deeply. Both the Chinese and German nations are known for their calm and rational nature, and both have produced great sages and philosophers. China has Laozi and Confucius, Germany has Kant and Hegel. Under the current circumstances, China and Germany should jointly and deeply consider what contribution they can make to world peace and tranquility and human development and progress. The mistakes of history cannot be repeated, and the tragedies of history cannot be repeated. Chinese and German peoples, politicians and diplomats of the two countries need to show calmness and reason, grasp the correct direction of bilateral relations, maintain the positive development momentum of pragmatic cooperation, and inject more confidence and motivation into an uncertain world.
In response to the German side's statement that it adheres to the one-China principle but is worried about the current tension in the Taiwan Strait, Qin Gang stressed that first of all, it is necessary to clarify a basic fact, that is, there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and brooks no external interference. Like other countries, the Chinese Government and people must firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Qin Gang said: The fundamental reason for the tension in the Taiwan Strait in recent years is that the "Taiwan independence" elements on the island have engaged in separatist activities with the support and connivance of foreign forces. The act of "Taiwan independence" is incompatible with peace and stability. To maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and tranquility, it is necessary to take a clear-cut stand against "Taiwan independence" and external interference. This is the proper meaning of upholding the one-China principle. (End)