Rösler: Building on our co-operation with China
Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, left for China today with Chancellor Merkel and other ministers for the second German-Chinese Intergovernmental Consultations.
Minister Rösler commented: "Germany and China are anchors of stability in their regions and for the global economy. For this reason, stronger economic co-operation between the two countries is the correct response to the current fragile global economic situation and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. The European market is open to China, and Chinese companies are welcome to invest in Germany. It is important for market liberalisation to continue in China and for fair competitive conditions to be put in place for German firms in China."
Federal Minister Rösler wishes to use this visit to build further on the bilateral co-operation and to promote German business interests. For example, the agenda includes not only the equal treatment of German and Chinese companies, but also the question of China's accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and closer co-operation on raw materials policy and in the field of standardisation and certification.
Minister Rösler will attend the German-Chinese Intergovernmental Consultations in Beijing on 30 August and meet with the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.He will also chair the 15th session of the German-Chinese Joint Economic Committee together with China's deputy trade minister, and will hold talks with the chairman of the State Intellectual Property Office.
On 31 August, Minister Rösler will accompany Chancellor Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on a visit to Tianjin to view the Airbus final assembly line. Also, Minister Rösler will lay the foundation stone for a new Volkswagen gear factory.
Further information:
China is Germany's second-largest trading partner outside Europe, behind only the United States.Whilst imports from China have traditionally been high, exports by German firms to China have only picked up strongly in recent years. In 2011, Germany exported goods worth almost ¤65bn to China, and a further increase can be expected this year. China is thus one of the most important partners for Germany's exporters.
