Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Germany on Sunday for his first overseas trip since taking office in March, seeking to expand ties with Europe’s largest economy and a key partner of China. Li will take part in the seventh round of China-Germany government consultations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday, and also attend a China-Germany economic and technological cooperation forum and meet with business leaders.
China is Germany’s top trading partner, and both sides have expressed their willingness to deepen and expand their cooperation in various fields, such as climate change, pandemic response, innovation and digitalization. Li is expected to discuss these topics with Scholz, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.
On Tuesday, Li will travel to France for an official visit and to attend a financial conference taking place from June 22 to 23. He will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Jean Castex, and witness the signing of several bilateral agreements. Li will also deliver a keynote speech at the conference, which will focus on green finance and sustainable development.
Li’s visit to France is aimed at enhancing mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, which are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies. China and France have maintained close communication and coordination on global issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, multilateralism and global governance.
Li’s trip to Germany and France is his first overseas visit since he became premier in March, following the tradition of his predecessors who also chose Europe as their first destination. It reflects the importance that China attaches to its relations with Europe, especially amid the complex and changing international situation.