On the morning of November 11, 2005, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Klaus Wowereit, Mayor of Berlin in the city hall and attended the welcome reception together with personnel from all circles of society.

Hu said that Berlin is a city having experienced many historical vicissitudes and the industrious and intelligent Berlin people have built their city which suffered untold hardships into a world-class metropolis. Over years Berlin has conducted fruitful cooperation with Beijing in such fields as culture, education, urban construction, environmental protection and tourism. The Chinese Culture Center in Berlin to be constructed soon will become another window for people of Berlin and other parts of Germany to understand China. He expressed hope that Berlin and Beijing will play a greater role in pushing forward China-Germany relations.

Wowereit said that Berlin and Beijing maintain close ties with frequent bilateral exchanges and friendly cooperation. It is especially encouraging that an increasing number of schools in Berlin are opening Chinese courses, which will have a highly positive influence on the bilateral exchanges and cooperation.