German-China governmental consultations to broaden bilateral cooperation: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday in her weekly video message that the upcoming third Germany-China governmental consultations will broaden bilateral cooperation.

The third Germany-China governmental consultations will be held on Oct. 10 in Berlin.

Merkel said she expected "very interesting discussions" at the event, which aims to contribute to a better mutual understanding between Germany and China and to promote bilateral cooperation.

According to the chancellor, the two sides will formulate an action framework during the consultations, detailing concrete areas in which both countries will conduct cooperation.

In addition to political talks, Merkel said, the action program will focus on innovation cooperation in various fields, such as research, agriculture, climate protection and environmental technologies.

"I think the bilateral cooperation, which is already very broad, can be thereby further expanded," she noted.

Speaking of the climate issue, Merkel said China has made great progress in the area of climate protection, adding that the two sides will also discuss preparation work for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Paris in 2015.