On December 8, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's visit is the first visit to China by a German foreign minister since the formation of Germany's new government. The visit has encountered twists and turns, but there is a Chinese saying that goes, "Good things come to those who wait." The timing is not the key; what truly matters is the purpose. The visit should be for cooperation, not confrontation; for enhancing mutual understanding and trust, not widening differences. The world today is marked by changes and instabilities as well as increasing turbulence. China-Germany cooperation is conducive to boosting the development of both countries and to jointly addressing global challenges. China and Germany, as major countries, should shoulder their responsibilities, uphold mutual respect, transcend differences in social systems, historical backgrounds and cultures, and build a more mature model of positive interaction and a more stable bilateral policy framework. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Germany will take a more objective and rational view of China, remain committed to the positioning of China-Germany partnership, regard China's development as an opportunity for deepening cooperation and a driving force for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and work together to promote the steady and sound development of the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership.

Wang Yi said that China is ready to work with Germany to strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, synergize development strategies, and promote practical cooperation, providing momentum for the development of China-Germany relations. Germany, as the largest economy in the European Union (EU), is a key force of European integration and an important cooperative partner for China. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Germany will encourage the EU to return to a rational and pragmatic policy towards China, adhere to the correct direction of mutually beneficial cooperation, resolve differences through dialogue, and avoid politicizing economic issues, instrumentalizing trade issues, or turning normal cooperation into security issues. As both China and Germany support, champion, and practice multilateralism, the two sides should strengthen solidarity and cooperation to make the global governance system more just and equitable.

Wang Yi made in-depth elaborations on China's principled position on the Taiwan question from historical, factual, and legal perspectives, pointing out the serious harm caused by the erroneous remarks of Japan's current leader on Taiwan. Unlike Germany, Japan has not fully repented for its history of aggression even 80 years after the end of World War II. The one-China principle serves as an important political foundation for China-Germany relations, and there is no room for ambiguity. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Germany will understand and support China's legitimate position and firmly oppose and resist any words and deeds advocating "Taiwan independence".

Johann Wadephul said that in Germany, there is also a saying: "All is well that ends well." Facing a turbulent and uncertain world, Germany and China need to shoulder special responsibilities, strengthen communication and coordination, and become reliable and predictable cooperative partners for each other. Germany is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and this position remains unchanged. Germany looks forward to hosting the next round of Germany-China inter-governmental consultation next year and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in various areas including economy and trade, and benefit the peoples of both countries. German enterprises in China have full confidence in the country and are willing to further deepen their presence in the Chinese market. Germany supports the EU and China in seeking mutual benefit and win-win outcomes through dialogue and is willing to play a constructive role in this regard. Germany looks forward to strengthening coordination with China in international affairs to promote world peace, stability, prosperity and development.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Johann Wadephul elaborated on Germany's position and expressed hope that China will leverage its influence to help bring about an early end to the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi reaffirmed China's consistent stance, saying that all parties should cherish the current momentum for a political settlement, work towards the same goal, and ultimately reach a fair, durable and binding peace deal through dialogue and negotiations. China supports all efforts conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.