First of all, congratulations on the occasion of your national day - and thank you very much for the invitation to speak to you today.

Ambassador, since I took office just a few months ago, we often met and have developed a good, solid relationship.

It’s important, that our countries, the representatives and the people talk to each other intensively. The two of us will continue here in Berlin.

The globalized world we live in and the challenges our governments and societies face make dialogue an imperative.

We have to explain, we have to be willing to understand.

The new Government of Germany has committed our foreign policy to three key interests:

Security, Freedom and Prosperity.

The three belong together, they reinforce each other, they cannot be separated.

And these key interests will from our side guide our bilateral relations and this in extraordinarily difficult and demanding times.

For us Germans, your culture, the Chinese culture is fascinating and so is the beauty of your country.

China’s enormous economic power creates unique economic dynamics. China is a central player, a global player in supply chains, a leader in innovation and emerging technologies and China is a powerful voice and actor on the international stage.

And by this, China is taking more and more responsibility for the regional and global stability on its shoulders.

China, indeed the entire Indo-Pacific region have gained great importance to security, freedom and prosperity - in Europe and in my country.

Last week the General Assembly of the United Nations has demonstrated the need to saveguard international law - and to address global crisises on the basis of the rule of law.

We Europeans, Germany, will stay firmly committed to international law. For us it remains essential that international law be fully respected everywhere and that human rights be fully respected everywhere.

For us, Security, Freedom and Prosperity belong together.

As we speak here today, a war is going on the European continent. Not far away from here.

Ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is and will remain the top priority for us.

Because this Russian aggression is directly attacking the security architecture of our continent.

The brutal methods of the past may not have a future.

Our investment in the defense of Ukraine, of Ukraine’s sovereignty is an investment in a peaceful future.

That is why we urge all those having influence on Russia, like China, to use their influence for that Russia stops this aggression.

And, speaking about the security architecture in Europe:

There should be no doubt: We do well know, who’s constantly violating the airspace of our NATO- Alliance.

And we do well know, who is attacking us, with hybrid means, who is launching cyber attacks against my country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are ofcourse many important issues we must and do find common ground. For example, talking about the top challenges for our countries, we should keep on focusing on climate change, too. Together, our two countries launched the climate and transformation dialogue. We very much appreciated the last announcements made by the Chinese leadership in that regard.

Security, Freedom and Prosperity - our economic and trading relations I mentioned on the very beginning. Trade and investments remain the bedrock of our relationship.

We consider both essential: To help our companies to reach their full potential and at the same time to saveguard our national security interests especially in these times of political uncertainty.

We will continue to advocate for a level playing field for greater reciprocity and when it comes to restrictions on rare earth exports we do care for the necessary predictability and reliability of the interwoven supply chains.

Finally, again: Security, Freedom and Prosperity - there is a lot to talk. Dialogue is important, it’s an imperative. We are looking forward to the next High Level visits, we are looking forward to exchanges on all levels.

At the same time, we want expand and intensify the civil society exchanges: students, artists, journalists, tourists - in both directions.

Because this very much enriches our relations. And the people will keep on being fascinated by each other and they will better understand each other.

Ambassador, personally I’m looking forward to continue our dialogue - and I would like to once again extend to the Chinese people our congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Thank you very much!