China and Germany held their first virtual foreign minister meeting,...

China and Germany held their first virtual foreign minister meeting, with China urging Germany to avoid "megaphone diplomacy" while Germany highlighted "fundamental differences" on human rights. The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for mutual respect and equal dialogue, expressing concerns about a shift from Angela Merkel's engagement policy. Germany's new foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, acknowledged differences on human rights and emphasized the importance of respect for international law. The two nations agreed to enhance financial, diplomatic, and security dialogue, as tensions between China and the EU continue to rise.

Thursday, 20 January, 2022