ISTANBUL

China and Germany on Monday discussed bilateral ties, the Nexperia chipmaker case, and the ties between the world’s second-largest economy and the EU, during the German foreign minister's visit to Beijing.

The issues were discussed during visiting top German diplomat Johann Wadephul's meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Trade Minister Wang Wentao, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China has urged Germany to abide by the one-China principle as Wadephul began a two-day visit to Beijing, his first since taking office, Chinese officials said Monday.

Han met with Wadephul, and said China and Germany are important economic and trading partners that can achieve “win-win results” through mutually beneficial cooperation, according to Xinhua News.

Han said Beijing is ready to enhance communication and dialogue with Berlin and work to bring the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership to a higher level.

He added that the Taiwan question is at the center of China's core interests, and urged Germany to abide by the one-China principle. Han also called on Berlin to play an active role in supporting the healthy development of China-EU relations.

Wadephul said through US social media company X that he “greatly appreciated” the opportunity to speak with Han.

In a separate post, he mentioned his meeting with Trade Minister Wang Wentao, saying he wants “balanced” economic relations with Beijing.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement that Wang urged German firms to “seize new opportunities,” strengthen cooperation, and expand into emerging sectors, while expressing hope that Germany would ensure a “fair, open, and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese companies.

The statement noted that Wang also said Beijing attaches importance to Berlin's concerns regarding Nexperia and the export controls, and that China has issued export license exemptions for Nexperia chips.

The priority currently is for the Dutch government to end “inappropriate administrative interventions,” stabilize the semiconductor supply chain, and avoid risks to global industries, the Chinese trade minister said.

Germany, in turn, expressed willingness to play a role in the issue and work with China on long-term solutions.

During Wadephul’s meeting with top diplomat Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister said Germany-China cooperation is “beneficial” for both sides and urged the two countries to build an improved interaction model and a stable policy framework, according to a statement from the ministry.

Wang stressed that the one-China principle is "an important political foundation for China-Germany relations," and that "there is no room for ambiguity."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Monday that “China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners,” noting that Wadephul and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have in-depth communication on China-Germany and China-EU relations.

Lin said at a news conference: “China always views its relations with Germany from a strategic and long-term perspective, we stand ready to work with Germany to implement the two important common understandings between the two leaders, strengthen strategic communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of bilateral relations.”

Wadehpul was the second European official to visit China since last week. French President Emmanuel Macron also paid an official visit to China.

Wadephul postponed a planned visit to China in October after Beijing failed to confirm meetings beyond the scheduled talks with Wang Yi.

Germany and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972.

In 2024, China was Germany's second-largest trading partner for goods, with trade worth €246 billion ($283 billion).

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