On the afternoon of November 3, 2023, President Xi Jinping held a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz via video link.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Germany relations have entered the second 50 years. As all-round strategic partners, China and Germany have moved forward in the spirit of mutual benefit, win-win results and contributing to each other’s success, and have grown together in the spirit of complementing and learning from each other. This is the valuable experience derived from the smooth development of China-Germany relations over the past decades, which should be cherished and passed on by both sides. Xi said China-Germany cooperation is open and practical, and has been continuously enriched and developed. Now, with steadily growing bilateral trade and flourishing two-way investment, China-Germany cooperation is growing to be more stable, sound and vibrant. The two countries have established a dialogue and cooperation mechanism on climate change and green transition, and the first dialogue should be held as soon as possible to deepen bilateral cooperation in such fields as climate protection, green transition, environmental governance, and biodiversity conservation. The two sides should strengthen exchanges between the youth, sub-national entities and sister cities, and better facilitate personnel exchanges. China is pursuing a Chinese path to modernization with high-quality development, and promoting the common development of the world with high-standard opening up. Xi Jinping noted that the 24 policies China promulgated not long ago to optimize the environment for foreign investment, and the major steps he announced at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, such as removing restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector and further advancing high-standard opening up in cross-border service trade and investment, will provide greater opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany. Xi also noted that more than 130 German companies will attend the sixth China International Import Expo, which is a vote of confidence from German companies in China's development. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that Germany will also maintain high-standard opening up toward Chinese enterprises seeking cooperation opportunities in Germany. Xi Jinping also expressed the belief that China-Germany cooperation will further unleash tremendous potential and benefit the people of the two countries.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the current international landscape is undergoing great changes, with escalating geopolitical conflicts, sluggish economic recovery and a resurgent Cold War mentality. China and Germany, both responsible major countries, should not only grow well bilateral relations and set a fine example of win-win cooperation, but also work to safeguard international order and multilateralism, and jointly respond to global challenges. China-EU relations bear on the stability of the world architecture and prosperity across the Eurasian continent, and should be well safeguarded and developed by both sides with an all-out effort. China sees Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and an important pole in a multi-polar world. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that Germany will encourage the EU to work with China to uphold fair market competition and free trade in line with market principles and the principle of fairness, and safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Olaf Scholz said that he paid a visit to China shortly after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November last year, and had in-depth communication with President Xi Jinping, reaching many important common understandings. The past year has seen the successful holding of a new round of Germany-China inter-governmental consultations, rapid resumption of dialogue and exchanges at all levels, and ever closer economic and trade relations, and steady progress in cooperation projects, displaying more possibilities and broad prospects of deepening Germany-China relations. Scholz stressed that Germany-China relations are very important to Germany, and Germany is ready to continue the good relationship with China and further deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields. Scholz wished German enterprises greater success in China, and expressed Germany’s readiness to work with China to facilitate visa access and personnel exchanges, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Germany is willing to promote the positive development of EU-China relations.

Olaf Scholz briefed Xi on Germany's views on the Palestine-Israel conflict and the Ukraine crisis, and expressed the hope to maintain close communication with China. Xi Jinping pointed out that be it the Palestine-Israel conflict or the Ukraine crisis, it is important to address the root causes, think more deeply about security issues, adhere to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and promote the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture. Squeezing the security space of other countries and unilaterally supporting one side while ignoring the legitimate demands of the other side will lead to regional imbalance and the expansion and escalation of conflicts. China and Europe should be committed to mediating conflicts, easing tensions and playing a positive role in promoting regional peace and development.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.