Germany, China vow to deepen 'strategic partnership'

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced Thursday that they would strengthen their cooperation to promote peace and stability in the world "at a time of global uncertainties".

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin, Merkel said China had become an important "strategic partner" for Germany in economic and political fields.

"We are living at a time of global uncertainties. We see it as our responsibility to strengthen our partnership in many fields and to work for a rules-based world order," she said.

Li's visit came amid a growing rift between Germany and the U.S. under the Donald Trump administration, with German officials expressing hope that China would become a responsible stakeholder in the liberal international order.

Chinese Premier Li praised enhanced ties with Germany, and said they had common views on many issues, including respect for international law and opposition to unilateralism.

"Both countries are ready to make their contribution to peace and stability in the world, in their respective regions, on various important issues," he said.

China and Germany will also continue to promote trade liberalization, he added.

- China to work to address climate change

Asked about the Trump administration's possible move to exit from the Paris climate agreement, Li said China would uphold its commitments.

"China will stand by its responsibility," he said, adding that Beijing would keep working with international partners to address the problem of climate change.

Merkel, for her part, thanked the Chinese premier for his pledge to adhere to the 2015 Paris accord, of which Germany is a strong supporter, along with France.

China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, ratified the agreement in 2016.

U.S. President Trump called global warming "a hoax” during his election campaign, and promised to scrap the agreement and return jobs to the coal industry.