German FM in Beijing
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-07-16 01:08

Visiting German Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Thursday in Beijing. China hopes to see Germany play bigger role in the international arena, a FM spokeswoman said Thursday. [newsphoto]

Fischer said that Germany and China believe in a multilateral approach to international affairs and that this has made reforms at the United Nations and its security council.

Fischer told reporters he sees German-Chinese co-operation in various fields as positive, including at the UN.

"The last 18 months have shown that, and we're both convinced that a more efficient UN is needed if multilateralism is to be strengthened," he said.

Thursday, Fischer held separate meetings with Li and Premier Wen Jiabao, reiterating Germany firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Fischer arrived in Beijing early Thursday morning after visiting India. The minister is on an Asian tour that also will take him to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

He is being accompanied by members of parliament and a business delegation.