China pitches closer cooperation with Germany in strategic industries

Beijing's move a swift turnaround since discord over its export curbs on rare earths

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China pitched stronger ties in its highest-level talks with Germany's new government as Beijing's top European trade partner seeks to smooth tensions over rare-earth curbs that have choked German production lines and prompted calls for de-risking.

Beijing has staged an uncharacteristically swift turnaround in relations with Berlin since discord over Chinese export curbs on chips and rare earths resulted in German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cancelling an October trip to China.

"China and Germany are important economic and trade partners," China's Premier Li Qiang told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit on Nov 23, the state media reported.

"Our two governments should work together to strengthen dialogue and communication to properly address their respective concerns," a Xinhua readout quoted China's second-ranking official as saying, before pitching closer cooperation in a series of strategic industries.