05 July 2017•Update: 06 July 2017
By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced Wednesday that the two countries would enhance their cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking at a joint news conference after their meeting in Berlin, Merkel said the two countries would strengthen their "comprehensive strategic partnership” in all areas, including the economy, trade, technology, and security,
“We are cooperating in the area of cyber security, and also in the field of international terrorism. And I believe that we have a whole range of options to further intensify our cooperation,” she stressed.
Xi also underlined strategic ties between the world’s two major economies, and expressed interest in expanding practical cooperation with Germany in various fields.
“We would like to strengthen our cooperation in the areas of the economy, trade, finance and investments. And also we would like to pave stronger cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Xi is in the German capital ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg, bringing together leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies on July 7-8.
The Chinese leader also voiced support for the agenda of Germany’s G20 presidency.
“China is ready to support Germany in achieving positive progress in Hamburg, based on the achievements of the Hangzhou summit,” he said, referring to the G20 group’s previous summit last year in China.
Both China and Germany are pushing for the G20 to endorse free trade and oppose economic isolationism amid growing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance.
Besides Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the leading figures at the two-day event.
