On November 9, 2006, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Silberberg held the first round of China-Germany strategic dialogue in Beijing. Earlier, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Silberberg and his delegation.

Both sides exchanged in-depth views on China's relations with Germany and Europe as well as major international and regional issues of common concern. They also agreed to view and develop bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective and enrich the China-Germany partnership with global responsibility. Hailing the first round of talks as fruitful, the two sides agreed to continue the mechanism of strategic talks.

The China-Germany strategic dialogue mechanism was set up when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China this May. The talks aim to step up strategic consultation, and political mutual trust between the two countries so as to push forward the development of bilateral ties.