- Title: Germany and China vow to deepen ties amid Trump concerns
- Date: 1st June 2017
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JUNE 1, 2017) (REUTERS) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL AND CHINESE PRIME MINISTER LI KEQIANG ARRIVING FOR SIGNING OF BUSINESS COOPERATION AGREEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS OF SIGNING OF BUSINESS CONTRACTS MERKEL AND LI ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "We are living in times of global uncertainty and see that we have a responsibility to expand our partnership in all the different areas and to push for a world order based on law." MERKEL SPEAKING CLOSE OF HANDS WRITING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "One important issue was the development of our trade relations. We have agreed that trade nations like Germany and China should work together and also clearly acknowledge their commitment to free trade. We have clearly underlined this commitment again." REPORTER FILMING NEWS CONFERENCE WITH SMARTPHONE REPORTER TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "We have talked about foreign policy issues, especially about the challenges regarding North Korea. We are both convinced that North Korea can pose a threat to the freedom in the world and we agree that we have to stick to sanctions, but we also support a negotiated solution, which is urgently needed and Germany has already showed its willingness to contribute to a negotiated solution." MERKEL SPEAKING PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PRIME MINISTER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "Mrs. Merkel has pointed out that we live in an increasingly uncertain world, but we have stable and adult relations between China and Germany. This character of our relations is a sign that the world can be peaceful, we can support cooperation and together we can reach security. We are both ready to contribute to peace and stability in the world." MERKEL LISTENING LI SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PRIME MINISTER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "There is a saying in China: Our words count and our actions should be successful. China will stand by its responsibility on climate change and China doesn't stand alone in this question. Our scientists in this area are in connection with world and follow the climate protection developments very closely." NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "I am very pleased that China is committed to the responsibilities of the climate protection treaty. The cooperation of the European Union with China in this area and especially with view to new technologies will play an important part also in the following meeting in Brussels." MEDIA CHINESE DELEGATION LISTENING MERKEL AND LI SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 15th June 2017 11:15
- Keywords: North Korea climate deal free trade Merkel Li
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016JG4MRR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Germany and China vowed on Thursday (June 1) to expand their partnership, pledging to continue to fight climate change hours before U.S. President Donald Trump announces whether Washington will quit a global climate deal.
Germany is the first stop for Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on a European tour that comes amid growing concern in Germany over some of Trump's policies, especially on climate change and protectionism.
"We are living in times of global uncertainty and see that we have a responsibility to expand our partnership in all the different areas and to push for a world order based on law," Merkel said at a joint news conference with Li.
The two leaders held wide-ranging talks that covered issues including trade, a European Union-China investment deal, civil rights, the North Korea crisis and climate change. They also signed a multitude of business deals.
"We are both ready to contribute to stability in the world," the Chinese premier said.
As the world awaits Trump's decision on climate change after he denounced the Paris pact in his 2016 presidential campaign, Li said China was committed to tackling the issue, both via the Paris Agreement and by setting national targets.
"China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change," he told reporters in Berlin, according to a German translation.
At the weekend G7 summit of wealthy nations, European and Canadian officials warned Trump that the United States risked ceding global leadership on combating climate change to China if it withdrew from the Paris accord. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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