On April 9, 2002, President Jiang Zemin, on a state visit to Germany, held talks with German President Johannes Rau.

Rau extended the warmest welcome to Jiang for his second state visit to Germany. He said that the German people have always respected and admired the Chinese people, and feel sincere gladness at the great achievements made by China in recent years. He expressed the hope that Jiang's current visit will push all-round bilateral cooperation to a new high.

Jiang said that China has always attached great importance to its ties with Germany. Ever deeper understanding and greater friendship between the two peoples have been achieved since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 30 years ago. There are extensive areas for bilateral cooperation. China and Germany have become cooperation partners reliable to each other.China has always supported Germany's reunification and Germany has consistently adhered to the One China policy, which has formed a solid foundation for the mutual trust between the two nations. At the beginning of the new century when the two countries are both in an important period of development, strengthening bilateral friendly relations and cooperation is not only the shared aspirations but also in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. At present, while expanding political and economic relations, we have also opened such new areas of cooperation as culture, eduation, law and environmental protection. China is satisfied with the healthy growth in Sino-Germany relations and confident about the future development of bilateral ties.

Rau fully agreed with Jiang on the development of bilateral relations. He said that Germany-China cooperation enjoys broad areas and fruitful results. the two countries hold identical views on many major international issues and share common interests in the fight against terrorism and environmental protection. The German government, political parties in the country and people from all walks of life all wish to increase dialogue and cooperation with China, further expand the personnel exchanges between the two countries and promote mutual understanding and trust.

Jiang also briefed Rau on China's economic growth and the ongoing development of the western part of China. He pointed out that despite a global economic slowdown, China has maintained a good momentum of development in its national economy by sticking to the strategy of expanding its domestic demand, adhering to a pro-active fiscal policy and stable monetary policy. We are confident of achieving stable economic growth in 2002. Jiang said that to develop China's west is an important strategic measure in China's economic structural adjustment aimed at achieving regional coordinated development and expanding broad space for China's economic development. It is also a necessary requirement to reduce regional gap and finally achieve common prosperity. We welcome foreign investors to take interest and part in China's development of its West.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current international situation.Jiang said peace and development still represent the mainstream of the times although there has been an increase in both the unstable factors in international relations and challenges faced by the international community. Resolution of global issues requires global cooperation. All countries should continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation so that common development and prosperity can be achieved and the world will become even more colorful.