Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil tried to find common ground after a financial dialogue in Beijing on Monday, with both officials saying the two countries should strengthen ties and support open, rules-based global trade.

“We are seeking dialogue with China to find solutions to pressing problems despite growing international tensions. That is why I am in Beijing for talks,” he said, according to a post on the social platform X by Germany’s finance ministry on Monday.

At the fourth China-Germany High-Level Financial Dialogue, the two sides pledged to strengthen economic and financial cooperation and expand bilateral market opening based on fair competition, according to a joint statement released by China’s Ministry of Finance after the meeting on Monday.

The statement identified 27 points of consensus reached by Beijing and Berlin, with both sides also vowing to uphold international and multilateral cooperation, oppose unilateralism and trade protectionism, and support the roles of the Group of 20 and the World Trade Organization.

“A healthy and stable China-Germany relationship serves the interests of both countries and meets the expectations of China and Europe,” He said at a press conference after the dialogue.