Chinese, German ministers of justice hold talks in Berlin

China's Minister of Justice He Rong held in-depth, pragmatic and candid talks with German Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann on China-Germany exchanges and cooperation regarding the rule of law in Berlin, Germany, on June 19, one day prior to the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation, which the Chinese minister also attended. 

China's Minister of Justice He Rong (R) meets with German Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann in Berlin, Germany, on June 19, 2023. [Photo/moj.gov.cn] 

He Rong briefed Buschmann on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and China's historic achievements in promoting overall law-based governance. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) of China has actively promoted social equity and justice and safeguarded the people's rights and interests in a bid to advance the building of a socialist country based on the rule of law in an all-round manner, she noted. 

The two sides agreed that the China-Germany Rule of Law Dialogue has set a precedent for equal communications and friendly exchanges between countries with different social systems and cultures in the field of the rule of law, and has played an active role in helping both countries establish and improve relevant legal frameworks. 

During the meeting, He Rong clarified to Buschmann China's principled position in upholding and safeguarding human rights, underlining that the rights to subsistence and development are the country's primary human rights. Then she actively responded to the German side's questions on human rights. Buschmann expressed admiration for China's remarkable achievements in safeguarding the people's rights to subsistence in the field of human rights. 

The two sides also held constructive consultations on various issues, including the 19th symposium scheduled to take place in China in 2024, the signing of the eighth implementation plan for the Sino-German Arrangement on Exchange and Cooperation in the Legal Field, as well as topics such as human rights dialogue, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, personal information protection, and market access to legal services. 

The two sides said they will stay committed to respecting each other's concerns and will work together to further deepen mutual learning, personnel training and pragmatic cooperation between their respective lawyers and notaries, and to create a sound law-based business environment for both countries in trade exchanges, commercial investment and technology exchanges and innovations. 

Through dialogue and consultations, the two sides enhanced mutual trust and understanding, laying a solid foundation for relaunching the Rule of Law Dialogue.