Chinese, German PMs agree to promote cooperation, strategic partnership

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel held talks here Sunday to map out future bilateral cooperation and reached an important consensus on deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Noting both China and Germany are countries with global influence, Li said that "the significance of China-Germany ties goes quite beyond bilateral relations and bilateral ties have already entered a new phase of fast development." He said stepping up China-Germany cooperation not only conforms to the interests of the two countries, but also benefits China-EU ties and the whole world. China is ready to work with Germany to further promote their multi-layered and wide-ranging cooperation to push bilateral ties to a new high, he said. The Chinese premier said the two countries should strengthen strategic communication by keeping up the current mechanisms of annual leaders' meetings and intergovernmental consultations, and enhance communication and coordination on regional and international affairs. At present, China is stepping up efforts to realize industrialization,informatization, urbanization and agricultural modernization to upgrade its economy, said Li. "That will offer more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries." To take full advantage of these opportunities, the Chinese premier suggested closer cooperation between the two countries' manufacturing industry on standard-making, technological innovation and personnel training, while deepening collaboration on developing information and communication technologies. On implementing the China-Germany urbanization partnership, Li called for exemplary cooperation on building low-carbon eco-cities. He also suggested establishing a dialogue mechanism of agriculture ministers to enhance cooperation on developing modern agriculture and enhancing food security. He said the two countries should keep close contacts in fiscal and financial fields by setting up a dialogue mechanism that involves both the finance ministers and central bank governors. He also suggested launching the China-Germany council of economic advisers, a Chinese chamber of commerce and an investment promotion agency in Germany. In addition, the two countries should have closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Li said, citing "the Year of Languages" initiative and a student exchange program that would help enhance mutual understanding and pass on China-Germany friendship to future generations. Li also underscored China's relations with the European Union (EU). "Germany is the first EU country I visit since taking office as Chinese premier," Li said. "That shows the new Chinese leadership highly values China's relations with the EU." China always sees Europe from a strategic point of view and firmly supports Europe's integration and the EU's efforts to tackle the debt crisis and maintain economic stability in Europe, the Chinese premier said. China-EU relations face new opportunities as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Li noted. He called on both sides to grasp the overall situation and the mainstream of their cooperation and properly handle their differences in order to make new strides in China-EU ties.