German President Steinmeier emphasizes continued cooperation and mutual growth with China during Peking University visit

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in Beijing on Thursday that Germany does not want to decouple from China and instead seeks to build continued mutually beneficial trade ties, stressing that win-win outcomes are the secret to a lasting partnership.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits Peking University on Thursday. (Photo: China Daily)

File photo: China Daily

Speaking at Peking University, Steinmeier said Germany and China have both benefited enormously from free and fair trade, and that the two countries' economic relationship has proven that free and fair trade benefits all sides.

"As Europeans, our goal is clear: we do not want to decouple from China. On the contrary, we want to build continued mutually beneficial trade," he said, adding that a partnership can only endure when both sides benefit.

He stressed that Germany does not want the world to split into blocs or see new camp confrontation, which would threaten global security and cause economic losses for all. He expressed confidence that solutions can be found through dialogue to make bilateral economic relations more resilient, rather than harming economic exchanges.

File photo: China Daily

On climate and environmental protection, Steinmeier praised cooperation between the two countries, citing examples including sponge-city practices in a park in Hefei, Anhui province and a Volkswagen research and development center in the city. He also welcomed joint efforts in meteorological data collection and analysis, and noted improvements in Beijing's air quality and quieter urban traffic thanks to the uptake of electric vehicles.

Turning to artificial intelligence, he said all countries need not follow the same path, but should work together to develop international governance norms to ensure technology remains under human control. He expressed hope for continued exchange between Germany and China on the issue.

Steinmeier also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries. He recalled his visit to the former residence of Li Hongzhang in Hefei, noting that Li, a senior official in an era of profound change, had close exchanges with European political and economic elites.

Drawing parallels between the transformations of the late 19th century and those of today, he said that while the future is again uncertain, today's China is no longer a country that can only react passively to change. "China itself is change," he said, citing the country's greatly enhanced economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities and political influence.

At Peking University, where he accepted an honorary professorship, Steinmeier described the university as one of China's finest and most renowned institutions of higher learning and a beacon of cooperation between the two countries.

The partnership established between Peking University and the Free University of Berlin has become one of the oldest and most fruitful university partnerships between the two countries, he said.

Steinmeier, who said this was his last visit to China in his current political role, said that Europeans view China's rise positively but also have expectations, stressing that they are not worried about China's rise but rather focus on how China rises.

He said the two sides share a common standard on this issue — the values and rules of the international community — and that the international order should give all countries and peoples the space and right to develop, safeguard peace, promote prosperity and facilitate common solutions to challenges.

He added that under such an order, the rise of one side does not mean the decline of another, expressing the hope that all can embrace this principle.

"I am confident that our cultures will continue to meet and enrich each other in the future," he said, quoting a line from Nalan Xingde, a famous poet of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) — "If only life were as it was at first sight" — and voicing his wish that every encounter retain the magic of a first meeting.