Improvement of bilateral ties praised, views exchanged on common issues

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (right) meets with visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westwelle during the first bilateral minister-level strategic dialogue on Friday in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily]

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Friday held the first bilateral minister-level strategic dialogue with his visiting German counterpart.

The two ministers praised the development of bilateral ties and exchanged views on common issues. Sino-German relations have improved in the areas of trade volume and cultural exchanges, and the two countries have maintained close communication concerning international issues, Yang said at a news conference after the foreign ministers' meeting.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westwelle viewed the dialogue as a reflection of a strong bilateral ties in recent years, adding that Germany would deepen communication with China on economic, political, environmental and cultural sectors.

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The two countries can also exchange views on some controversial issues such as human rights and freedom of the press, said Westwelle, calling for legal protection and transparency for German investment in China.

Yang said that China will continue to support foreign journalists working in China.

Yang said he hopes foreign journalists respect China's laws and regulations while reporting in the country.

China will also offer better conditions for German enterprises to invest in China, Yang said.

Yang called for the early admission of China's market economy status, which Westwelle said Germany supports. Westwelle added that remaining problems on the issue should also be discussed.

Yang also called for the lifting of an arms embargo.

The two ministers exchanged their views on issues such as nuclear energy safety, environmental protection, climate change and other international affairs.

Also on Friday, the exhibition "The Art of the Enlightenment" was officially opened by Westwelle and China's State Councilor Liu Yandong at the National Museum of China.

The opening marked the exhibition's biggest presence overseas.

The exhibition marked a milestone for bilateral relations between Germany and China and showed that communication between the two countries has been strengthened, Westwelle told the press after the strategic dialogue.

China and Germany have held four strategic dialogues at the vice-minister level since 2006 and upgrade the dialogue to the minister-level when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China in 2010.