Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed key issues including Huawei with his German counterpart Heiko Maas. /CGTN
Wide-ranging talks aimed at boosting cooperation on trade, foreign affairs and tackling COVID-19 have been held by the German and Chinese foreign ministers.
It comes as Germany steps into the EU council presidency and aims to re-energize the bloc's economic ties with China – its second largest trading partner.
But talks come at a time when relations between the two sides have been under strain. Germany has described China as an important partner, but also as a competitor.
Several important issues were on the table as Foreign Minister Heiko Maas met with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi via video-conference.
They included the involvement of Huawei in the roll-out of 5G in Europe, with Germany still mulling whether to ban the Chinese telecoms giant from its infrastructure amid security concerns.
The EU at present recommends a limited role for Huawei, but has stopped short of an all-out ban.
The foreign ministers talking via video-conference also talked about boosting travel between the countries, amid fears over COVID-19. /CGTN
There was also discussion about the worsening crisis in Libya — with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation at the United Nations level as world leaders work to de-escalate the conflict.
EU-China cooperation on the response to COVID-19 was raised with a focus on vaccine research.
Both sides are keen to see EU-China travel routes reopen and for crucial supply chains to be protected as the world looks to emerge from the pandemic.
Maas said he was pleased to see the pandemic under control in both Germany and China for now and he took it as a "sign of our cooperation and solidarity." There was agreement on the need to restore travel links, with consumer confidence still low over long-haul international air travel.
During the talks, Wang emphasized that China has always viewed relations with the EU positively and constructively and has supported the EU's development and growth. He reiterated that China-EU consensus is far greater than its differences and cooperation exceeds competition.
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