Xi Jinping calls for Germany, Europe to ‘remain open to Chinese companies’
- China’s leader also vowed to conclude investment deal with the EU this year during conversation with German chancellor
- Angela Merkel said she hoped to ‘put in more efforts’ to reach agreement, and to boost cooperation on trade, new energy vehicles, according to Xinhua
“We hope that Germany and the European Union will remain open to Chinese companies,” Xi told Merkel, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua.
“China and the EU should strive to be mutually respectful and grasp the main themes of dialogue and win-win cooperation,” the president was quoted as saying.
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The EU is at present consulting on ways to beef up trade defence mechanisms against state-owned enterprises and other companies receiving state aid – a move seen as targeting Chinese businesses.
During the discussion, Xi also told Merkel that Beijing wanted to conclude an investment agreement being negotiated with the EU this year.
He said Chinese economic development would benefit Germany, the biggest EU investor in China.
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Merkel also said she hoped to strengthen cooperation with China on trade and investment and new energy vehicles such as electric cars.
Germany’s desire to sell more new energy vehicles to China comes as its traditional carmakers have been seen as slow to adapt to the changing consumer preference for such cars in Europe.
Biden also approached the EU leadership on Monday. In their phone conversations with Biden, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed interest in rekindling a transatlantic alliance upset by US leader Donald Trump.
