Chinese and German leaders agreed in Beijing Monday to start
their first round of strategic dialogue this year, as a way to
improve political consultations.
"The intensification of China-Germany ties is an established
policy of the Chinese government and serves the common interests of
the two countries," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
During their talks, the two leaders agreed to enhance
coordination and cooperation in international affairs. "China
supports a bigger role for Germany in multi-lateral organizations,
including the UN," Wen said.
"To develop China-Germany strategic partnership has become the
common goal of the two countries," Wen said.
Citing China-Germany consultative mechanisms in politics and
defense as well as dialogues in law and human rights, Wen said the
China-Germany ties have entered "a mature stage."
Wen said China and Germany have solid political foundations and
the two countries have no conflicts in basic interests nor unsolved
historical issues.
"China firmly supported Germany's efforts in national
reunification and the German government, throughout the years, has
abided by the one-China policy and has refused to sell weapons to
Taiwan," Wen said.
Merkel said Germany hopes to maintain high-level contact with
China and have bilateral strategic talks to coordinate their stand
on key international and regional issues.
Merkel said Germany and China have already become close partners
and Germany, with earnest interest, is closely watching China's
development and China's important role in the international
arena.
She said her government highly values its ties with China and is
devoted to maintaining and developing the previous governments'
policies towards China.
She also reiterated that her government will continue to abide
by the one-China policy.
Both the leaders highlighted the economic cooperation between
the two countries. The trade volume between China and Germany
reached US$63.2 billion in 2005.
Wen said the two countries should make full use of established
business channels, including the China-Germany high-tech dialogue
forum, economic cooperation joint commission and the environment
forum, to push for further cooperation between the two sides in
energy, infrastructure construction and service trade.
Germany is the largest European investor in China, and more
Chinese companies have invested in Germany than any other EU
country. "China and Germany share great potential in economic and
trade cooperation," said Wen.
Merkel said Germany is ready to further increase cooperation
with China in such fields as economy, trade, transport, aerospace,
technology transfer and protection of intellectual property.
Germany will push for further cooperation in magnetic levitation
rail transport, she said.
The now fully-operational maglev train in Shanghai was an
important fruit of technological cooperation between the two
countries.
During her stay in Shanghai, the last leg of her China tour,
Merkel will ride the maglev line to the Pudong International
Airport.
(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)
