Germany, China vow to deepen ties amid differences

Germany, China vow to deepen ties amid differences
# 28 April 2021 19:49 (UTC +04:00)

Germany and China on Wednesday vowed to deepen cooperation in the area of economy, climate protection and health, amid major disagreements on human rights, APA reports citing Anadolu Agency.

At the start of the German-Chinese government talks which were organized online due to the pandemic, Chancellor Angela Merkel pointed to the differences of opinion in the sphere of human rights in a joint statement with China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

For his part, Li also openly admitted to considerable differences in German-Chinese relations.

It was the sixth edition of the Sino-German government talks which have been taking place every two years since 2011, during which the members of the cabinets also come together for deliberations.

Merkel said part of the partnership is also “that we can address difficult issues and put everything on the table.”

As an example, she cited the situation in Hong Kong, where Beijing has adopted a security law restricting political freedoms.

China has repeatedly rejected Western criticism of its tough stance against the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong or of its alleged crackdown on the Muslim Uyghur minority as interference in its internal affairs.

Merkel told Li that she wished that both sides could “get the human rights dialogue going again as soon as possible.”

The chancellor defended the dialogue with Beijing, saying conflicts could only be resolved if you keep talking.a

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