Premier Li: China open to import more German products

BEIJING- China is willing to import more high-quality German products, its Premier Li Qiang told visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday, as the two countries seek to shore up trade ties amid rising protectionism between Europe and Beijing.

Li also urged the two countries to firmly uphold free trade and open cooperation, according to a readout released by the Chinese foreign ministry late on Friday.

China is willing to work with Germany to use intergovernmental consultation mechanisms to expand cooperation in autos, chemicals, artificial intelligence, digital and green industries, Li said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged Germany to pursue a "rational, pragmatic and ‌friendly" policy towards China, using talks with Steinmeier to push for closer ties despite growing trade frictions between Beijing and Europe.

Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Tom Hogue/Reuters