China and Europe should not fight trade wars because the pair are comprehensive strategic partners, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his German counterpart in a call, according to a statement from Beijing.

Wang told German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul that strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation aligns with both sides' interests and represents the "right choice", the Foreign Ministry said late on Monday.

"China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners; China and ⁠Europe should not fight trade wars," a statement from the ministry cited Wang as saying.

"China has consistently advocated that both sides move toward each other and find solutions to each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation," he added.

China hopes Germany maintains a rational and pragmatic approach and plays a positive role within the EU, promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism, Wang said.

Germany's foreign ministry said the two ministers agreed that a stable global economy is in China's, Germany's and Europe's interest.

"Trade relations have to be based on fair rules and a real level playing field," it said on social media platform X.

The two ministers also discussed Iran, Ukraine and the issue of Taiwan, the Chinese statement added.

China hopes Germany takes concrete action to maintain Chinese-German relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, creating necessary conditions for high-level exchanges, Wang said.

He noted that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-Germany relations.

Wadephul responded by saying the German side firmly adheres to the one-China policy and the position will not change, Xinhua news agency reported.

Noting that the current international situation is facing a series of new threats and challenges, Wadephul said that Germany expects China to leverage its influence in international and regional affairs and work with Germany to explore solutions.

Germany supports the EU and China in properly addressing their differences through dialogue and is willing to play an active role in this regard, he added. (Xinhua/Reuters)



Edited by Cecil Wong