Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the progress achieved and the contributions of half a century of bilateral and international ties, the Foreign Ministry said in an official note.

Xi assured the high importance he attaches to the development of Beijing-Berlin ties and proposed to take advantage of the anniversary as an opportunity to take new steps to consolidate them in the context of the strategic alliance between the two nations.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the German ruler highlighted the progress of cooperation in various sectors and people-to-people exchanges.

He also underscored the significance of economic and trade operations for the interest of both sides.

The two leaders hoped to promote more stable ties and more dynamic cooperation.

The anniversary of Beijing-Berlin ties comes amid friction over the European state’s claims to expand military presence in the Asia-Pacific, its stance on Taiwan and plans to reduce trade dependence on China.

Some international media reported that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit China in early November, but the Chinese authorities have not yet provided any information on the matter.

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