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China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping (archive image)
Photo: Huang Jingwen / AP
Relations between China and the USA are worse than ever, and the countries have recently been subjecting themselves to ever new sanctions.
However, the German-Chinese relationship should remain unaffected - at least according to China's head of state and government Xi Jinping.
In a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Xi emphasized that both countries should see the development of the other "as an opportunity".
They should also preserve the "excellent tradition of high-ranking leadership," the state media quoted the president as saying.
Xi apparently hopes to have a direct line to Scholz
The statement can be seen as a covert tip against Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Xi apparently hopes that Scholz, like former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), will determine German China policy.
Baerbock had already announced a tougher course against China at the beginning of December.
Both sides should "stay on course" in the development of the relationship, Xi said now.
The cooperation between Germany and China was leading in the relationship between Europe and China.
Xi demanded that both countries "reject all forms of domination politics and a Cold War mentality".
First conversation since Scholz took office
According to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, it was the first conversation between the two politicians since Scholz took office at the beginning of December.
According to the Hebestreit, topics were the deepening of the bilateral partnership and economic relations as well as the development of relations between the EU and China.
Other international topics were also discussed.
China is Germany's most important trading partner.
However, there are regularly differences in human rights issues.
China has come under international criticism, among other things, for the massive oppression of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the province of Xinjiang.
fek / dpa / AFP
