BERLIN, June 20 — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said direct talks between world leaders was more important than ever in light of a challenging global environment after meeting with China’s Premier Li Qiang in Berlin today.

“Direct dialogue, personal talks, a real discussion - all of that is more important than usual in this unusual time full of global challenges and crises,” said Scholz.

Scholz said that the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains worldwide, showed that Germany needed to work closely with China on a range of issues also including health. — Reuters