China and Germany's Presidents Discuss International Order at Beijing Talks
Xi Jinping and Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for international cooperation during their October 30 meeting, but no new bilateral treaty was announced in the reports reviewed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met in Beijing on Friday, October 30, with both leaders stressing the importance of international cooperation while describing their priorities for global governance in different terms.
Steinmeier said China should help preserve the international order grounded in the United Nations Charter. He told Xi that the two countries share responsibility for the conditions under which states manage their relations, according to remarks reported from the meeting by Reuters.
Xi, meanwhile, urged the countries to develop a model of cooperation based on equality, mutual benefit and strategic stability. He described their relationship as an extensive strategic partnership and said the two sides should favour openness and cooperation over confrontation.
The meeting took place during Steinmeier's state visit to China, scheduled for October 27 to 31. A welcoming ceremony was held in Beijing on Friday before the presidents' talks. Chinese state news agency Xinhua also confirmed that the leaders met.
Germany and China maintain substantial trade and industrial links, but their governments have differing positions on several international economic and security questions. The statements made at the meeting therefore represent diplomatic positions and intentions, not proof that those disagreements have been resolved.
No signed treaty, binding joint declaration or new trade concession was established by the reports reviewed for this article. Any future agreements would require separate confirmation of their text, signatories and implementation dates.
The October 30 talks were distinct from Steinmeier's remarks at Peking University earlier in the visit, when he discussed the benefits of bilateral trade and the need to avoid economic decoupling.
Sources
Reuters reporting from the Beijing talks, syndicated by The Straits Times on October 30, 2026.
Xinhua confirmation of the leaders' meeting, published by China Daily on October 30, 2026.
Sources
AI assistance was used in preparing this report. Fast News remains responsible for its editorial verification and publication.
Spotted an error? Request a correction · Our editorial principles · Contact the newsroom