On the morning of February 3, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Great Hall of the People.

On China-Germany relations, Hu said bilateral cooperation mechanisms, trade volume and humanities exchanges have seen substantial progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago. The China-Germany relationship has grown in unprecedented depth and broadness, said Hu. Hu said China was ready to work with Germany to adopt an even broader perspective and more open attitude toward the status, goals and orientation of bilateral ties by further strengthening dialogues, exchanges and cooperation so as to push forward the long-term, healthy and in-depth development of strategic partnership with Germany over the decades to come.

Talking about relations between China and Europe, Hu said both were important powers in the international community. Against the backdrop of ongoing profound and complex changes in international situation and increasingly prominent global challenges, China and Europe share growing common interests and greater need for mutually beneficial cooperation, he said. Hu said China was ready to work with Europe to advance the all-round strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.

Merkel said over the past four decades, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas have become closer and fruitful. The two countries have enjoyed growing broadness and strength in bilateral ties and today share an even greater prospect of growing the relationship. Merkel said trade and economic cooperation between the two countries had entered a new era of growth. The German side aimed to step up bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of agriculture, environment, climate change and culture, Merkel said. She said Germany was ready to promote mutual investment with China on the basis of mutual benefits. Germany was also ready to work with China to further advance Europe's relations with China, Merkel said, adding that the two countries would strengthen cooperation on international issues within the framework of Group of 20.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Hongbo and other officials attended the meeting.