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Xi Jinping calls for Germany, Europe to ‘remain open to Chinese companies’
- China’s leader also vowed to conclude investment deal with the EU this year during conversation with German chancellor
- Angela Merkel said she hoped to ‘put in more efforts’ to reach agreement, and to boost cooperation on trade, new energy vehicles, according to Xinhua
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President Xi Jinping has urged Germany and Europe to “remain open to Chinese companies” and vowed to reach a deal this year giving European businesses greater market access in China.
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Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, and as the European Union plans new restrictions on Chinese state-owned giants.
It came hours after EU leaders pledged to rebuild the transatlantic alliance in a phone call with US president-elect Joe Biden.
“We hope that Germany and the European Union will remain open to Chinese companies,” Xi told Merkel, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua.
“China and the EU should strive to be mutually respectful and grasp the main themes of dialogue and win-win cooperation,” the president was quoted as saying.
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The EU is at present consulting on ways to beef up trade defence mechanisms against state-owned enterprises and other companies receiving state aid – a move seen as targeting Chinese businesses.
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