Li calls for further advancement of China-Germany partnership

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met Friday with German President Joachim Gauck and expressed his wish that the two countries strive for a better future of their all-dimensional strategic partnership.[Special coverage]

China-Germany relations have enjoyed robust development thanks to joint efforts from both sides, Li said, adding that bilateral cooperation has reached an unprecedented level both in depth and in breadth.

China, the premier said, is ready to join hands with Germany to chart the course of bilateral cooperation for the medium and long terms.

He suggested that the two sides follow the spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and tolerance and regard each other in an objective and comprehensive manner.

By doing so, he added, they can sufficiently understand each other's national conditions, enhance strategic mutual trust, broaden practical cooperation, lay a solid foundation for bilateral friendship, and open up a brighter prospect for their all-dimensional strategic partnership.

Li pointed out that his ongoing trip, which will also take him to Russia and Italy, is aimed at promoting development and cooperation of the Eurasian continent and maintaining peace and stability of the region.

As China and Germany are both nations with great influence, strengthening their cooperation will not only serve the interests of both sides, but significantly contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity, Li said.

China, he added, is willing to work with Germany to intensify communication and coordination on international and regional affairs and jointly address global challenges.

Stressing that China is comprehensively deepening reform and opening wider to the outside world, Li said China stands ready to draw on the valuable achievements of human civilizations, continuously deliver the dividends of reform, and score greater development on the basis of its national realities.

Those efforts, he pointed out, will create new opportunities for China to expand cooperation with other countries, including Germany.

Gauck, for his part, noted that with both Germany and China committed to boosting economic development, a stronger partnership and deeper win-win cooperation between them will facilitate the endeavors of both sides.

The president said he expects the new round of China-Germany governmental consultations to reap rich achievements and promote bilateral cooperation in innovation and various other areas.

Noting that the Communist Party of China has a strong capacity of self-innovation, Gauck added that he admires the great achievements China has made and is fully confident in China's future.

Germany, he said, is willing to work with China to learn from each other's development experience, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and achieve harmonious coexistence and common development.

Li arrived here Thursday for his second official visit to the European nation since he took office in March last year. So far Germany is the only country Li has visited twice as premier.