Speaking at a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Klingbeil – who also serves as finance minister – said he was convinced “that China can play a decisive role in this.”

The war in Ukraine is destabilizing for global economic development, he argued.

Vice Premier He did not mention the war in Ukraine during his comments.

China is considered a close partner of Moscow and has not condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Beijing continues to trade heavily with its neighbour, and is a major buyer of Russian oil.

He said that the world was currently characterized by “turbulence.” A stable German-Chinese relationship could therefore offer more security internationally, he explained.

Klingbeil is the first German minister to travel to China since Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative-led administration took office in May.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul postponed a planned trip a few weeks ago because he was unable to secure sufficiently high-ranking discussion partners in Beijing amid tensions over Taiwan.

dpa