Xi urges Scholz to ‘work together’ amid global turbulence

Beijing, Nov 4 (EFE).- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to “work together” and contribute towards world peace and development amid increasing global “turbulence.”

Scholz, the first European leader in more than two years to meet Xi in person, arrived in Beijing early morning for an official one-day visit and was received by the Chinese president in the Great Hall of the People.

Xi underscored the need for China and Germany, two major countries with great influence, to work together in times of change and instability and contribute more to global peace and development, according to state-owned Xinhua agency.

The Chinese president spoke of seeking common ground while putting aside differences, emphasizing that bilateral relations will not deviate as China and Germany mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Xi then thanked Scholz for his visit and said that it will improve mutual understanding and trust between the two countries.

For his part, Scholz said that it was a positive thing that the two countries could unite in difficult times.

This visit comes just two weeks after the end of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China, in which Xi was re-elected for a third term, unprecedented among his recent predecessors.

Scholz will also meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who is set to step down in March, and will then address a press conference.

The chancellor, who is accompanied by a business delegation that includes representatives of firms such as Deutsche Bank, Siemens and BMW, will also chair a meet between German and Chinese companies.

In an article published by local media outlets in Germany before his visit, Scholz defended his trip to China, stressing on the need to change how they deal with the Asian country.

He argued for the need for direct talks with Beijing because the world has undergone profound changes since Angela Merkel visit to China, the last by a German head of state to the country. EFE

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