German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday in Beijing that China should and will bear more international responsibilities.

With a fast growing economy and the largest population in the world, China will face more responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Steinmeier told a seminar hosted by the China Institute of International Studies.

It seems that China is willing to shoulder such increasing global responsibilities, Steinmeier told about 200 Chinese and German diplomats and scholars attending the meeting.

He appreciated China's role played in promoting the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and on resolving the Iran nuclear issue, noting that these are definite indications of China's will.

He spoke highly of the Chinese contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan and to regional cooperation and integration in East Asia.

But he also urged China to better protect intellectual property rights and implement commitments to the World Trade Organization.

Steinmeier arrived here on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to China as guest of his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing.

Source: Xinhua