Steinmeier awarded honorary professor title by Peking University
Education, science and cultural exchange can create space for dialogue even between countries that have differences. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Peking University in Beijing on Thursday afternoon, where he delivered a speech, met with students and was conferred the title of honorary professor.
Steinmeier is paying a state visit to China from October 27 to 31 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In his speech, Steinmeier called on Germany and China to continue developing mutually beneficial trade ties and to seek solutions through dialogue. He also noted that Europe does not want to decouple from China.
“There are many differences between China and Germany, but one thing we share is that both countries’ economies rely on strong export capabilities. Anyone seeking success in the global market needs predictability and reliability, and these can only be achieved under rules respected by all parties. Therefore, I firmly believe that protecting and strengthening the rules-based international order is both our responsibility and in line with our own interests,” he said.
The German president also took part in a table tennis game on campus. China and Germany have a long history of cooperation in the sport, with regular exchanges aimed at strengthening ties and sharing skills.
German students at Peking University welcomed the visit. Konstantin Garbers said he was particularly impressed by the deep historical connection between the university and Germany. As an artificial intelligence researcher, he was also pleased to hear that the president takes AI safety seriously.
Another student, Leander Zaiser, said the visit had filled him with hope and demonstrated the strength of cooperation between China and Germany. He added that he was moved by the opportunity to hear his country’s president speak to Chinese and German students and was happy that Steinmeier had received the honorary professor title.
This is Steinmeier’s first visit to China in nearly eight years. He previously visited the country several times while serving as Germany’s foreign minister. Beijing is the second stop on his current trip.
He began the visit in east China’s Anhui Province on Tuesday, where he toured a research and development center built by German automaker Volkswagen. Steinmeier emphasized that technologies developed in China could also benefit Germany and Europe.
According to CCTV+, Steinmeier’s visit to Peking University provided an opportunity to discuss trade cooperation, technological development and the role of dialogue in China-Germany relations.
