China and Germany kick off first round of diplomatic and security strategic dialogue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a press conference after the first round of China-Germany diplomatic and security strategic dialogue in Berlin 19 Dec 2015. [Photo by Wang Mingjie/China Daily]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany met in Berlin on 19 December for the first round of China-Germany diplomatic and security strategic dialogue, reinforcing the "all-round strategic partnership" the two countries have established.

The two exchanged views on China-Germany relations, China-EU relations and other international and regional topics of common interest.

Steinmeier also welcomed China's backing for the United Nations Security Council vote on Syria in New York on Friday.

The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on December 18 calling for a ceasefire in Syria's five-year-old civil war and political talks to be mediated by the UN to end the conflict.

Wang Yi said China attaches great importance to the China-Germany relations and Sino-German ties have become more extensive and substantial, beyond economic collaboration, so that an"all-round strategic partnership" has been established, which has charted the course and set up the goal for China-Germany cooperation in the future.