BERLIN: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has highlighted the “special importance” of ties between the United States and China and urged both the countries to improve communications, as he hosted Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin.
Steinmeier stressed the importance of relations between the two big economies for “global security and cooperation,” his spokeswoman Cerstin Gammelin said on Twitter.
She added that Steinmeier called for strengthening communication channels between both nations.
Chinese role sought in Russia-Ukraine war
Gammelin said that in the meeting, the German leader also urged Beijing to use its influence and political weight on Moscow to ensure a just peace in Ukraine, AFP reported.
Li is on his first visit abroad since being named China’s prime minister in March. He would be hosted by Chancellor Olaf Scholz for dinner later Monday, while Tuesday negotiations are planned between the two countries’ cabinets.
His trip came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a high-stakes visit to China.
President Xi Jinping said China and the US made progress and reached agreement on some specific matters during Blinken’s visit.
