German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Friday said he raised human rights issues and Tibet with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi.
Westerwelle said press freedom and freedom of speech were among the topics he broached, adding that human rights were a "cornerstone of German foreign policy."
The two sides exchanged their "different views" on Tibet, he said at a joint press conference with Yang, DPA reported.
Yang reiterated his government's policy on the Himalayan region, which China regards as an indisputable part of its territory. The Chinese government rejected any official contact between other nations and the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, he added.
On Iran, Yang said there were "serious issues" but China still wanted to work for a negotiated solution.
Westerwelle said any development of nuclear weapons by Iran was "unacceptable" and that Germany was ready to extend UN sanctions if current negotiations with Iran failed.
When asked about US internet giant Google's threat to withdraw from China following a "highly sophisticated and targeted" cyber attack originating from China, Yang repeated China's defence of its position.
He said the internet in China was "open" but all service providers must follow the law and prevent "harm to society."
China "opposes any cyber attacks," Yang said.
The two sides said Yang would attend an annual international security conference in Germany next month.
Westerwelle, who is on his first visit to Asia since taking office, was scheduled to meet Premier Wen Jiabao later on Friday.
On Thursday in Tokyo, Germany and Japan vowed to cooperate in securing permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council.
Westerwelle and Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also agreed to intensify cooperation on disarmament issues.