Key role of Sino-German ties stressed

China, EU called to send positive signal of upholding multilateralism, free trade

President Xi Jinping stressed on Friday the strategic and overall significance of China's relations with Germany and the European Union in a world of intertwined transformations and turbulence, as he spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in their first phone conversation since Merz took office.

It was the second consecutive day that Xi communicated with a European leader. On Thursday, the Chinese president called on China and France to be reliable forces for maintaining international order when speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone.

Xi told Merz that a sound and stable China-Germany relationship serves the interests of both countries, and also meets the expectations of various sectors in China and Europe.