On April 11, 2002, President Jiang Zemin, on a state visit to Germany, visited Saxong, and in the evening met with Minister-President Kurt Biedenkoph in Dresden, local capital of Saxong.

Jiang said that he is glad to visit beautiful Saxong. Saxong is famous for its long history and rich cultural traditions. Dresden is called Florence on the Elbe for its magnificent and elegant architecture. The Fair in Leipzig and fine porcelain in Meissen are well known around the world. Saxong has nurtured many well-known people. Great scientist Leibniz, composer Bach, and writer Lessing lived here. In as early as the 17th century, Leibniz took interest in and carefully studied the Chinese culture and became a forerunner of cultural exchanges between China and Germany. His binary notation in mathematics laid the foundation for modern cybernetics and computer theory.

Jiang said that there has been traditional friendly relations and cooperation between China and Saxong. Productive bilateral cooperation is an important part of bilateral relations. We are glad to see that cooperation between Saxong and China in all fiedls are developing constantly. At present, the Chinese economy continues to grow in a sustainable, rapid and sound manner. China, after its accession to the World Trade Organization last year, will further open up the market, integrate into the world economy in broader areas and at deeper levels, and expand economic cooperation and trade with other countries, which provides more business oppportunities and areas for the Germany business community, including those from Saxong, to strengthen cooperation with China. Jiang expressed the belief that future cooperation between China and Saxong in all fields will be more productive.

Biedenkoph thanked Jiang for his visit to Saxong, and said it is an honor for Saxong. He said that exchanges between different cultures are very important. Every culture in the world has its own characteristics and should exchange with one another. China and Germany should step up efforts to tap potential in this regard in the future. We will develop not only economic relations and trade with China and exchanges and cooperation in cultural fields.