Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin

On January 29, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. Both sides exchanged in-depth, pragmatic views in a friendly, candid atmosphere on advancing bilateral ties, especially on joining hands to cope with the ongoing financial crisis, and reached broad consensus.

Wen said over the past three decades, the development of Sino-German relations has scored enormous achievements, which brings tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples and plays a positive role in promoting China-EU relations, as well as world peace and development. Wen said the current international political and economic situations were complicated and volatile, adding that common interests between China and Germany are not narrowing, but expanding. Joining hands to tackle the financial downturn is currently the top priority for the two nations, said Wen during the meeting. China and Germany should strengthen their coordination and cooperation to tide over the crisis and take the opportunity to push forward the bilateral ties to a new level, Wen said.

Merkel said the two nations have enjoyed very close relations, and the German side attaches great importance to China's international status and role, and is ready to further strengthen its dialogue with China. China and Germany share similar ground and common interests in dealing with the financial crisis and the two sides should strengthen coordination in dealing with the issue, she said. The cooperation deals signed by both sides, which cover various fields, are of great importance to overcoming the current difficulties and promoting long-term cooperation, she said. Germany remains committed to pushing forward its relations with China, she added.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin

During the meeting, the two leaders pledged to maintain close high-level exchanges, respect each other’s major concerns and stay firm in the confidence in mutual trust and win-win results so as to continuously enrich China-Germany partnership of global responsibility for the benefit of the people of the two countries and the world at large. To this end, both sides agreed to make joint efforts in the following six aspects:

First, promote the steady growth of bilateral trade and investment through stepping up cooperation in such areas as finance, telecommunication and logistics. The Chinese side decided to send a purchasing mission to Germany in its bid to increase the country's import of German goods, technology and equipment, and also hoped Germany could promote the European Union to further open the bloc's market to China. The German side expressed its readiness to make due efforts in this regard and pledged to make larger investment in China's central and western regions. The German side is ready to actively participate in railway and other infrastructure construction of China. Both sides also agreed to work for new growth of bilateral trade this year.

Second, support cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries. Both sides pledged to establish the China-Germany Standards Portal and consider the possibility of launching a batch of Sino-German enterprise cooperation bases so that small and medium-sized enterprises can play a greater role in economic activities and mutually beneficial cooperation of the two countries.

Third, deepen bilateral cooperation in high-tech area, especially in information, biology, new material and new energy. Both sides will hold Chinese-German year of science and technology to promote exchanges in this field and advance relevant industrial cooperation. Germany encourages its enterprises’ technical transfer to China on a voluntary basis and China will continue to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights.

Fourth, deepen cooperation on energy conservation and environmental protection, especially in such areas as energy-conserving technology, low carbon technology and renewable energy. They pledged joint efforts in tackling the challenges arising from climate change and vowed to foster new areas for growth in bilateral economic and technological cooperation.

Fifth, strengthen communication and cooperation in macroeconomic policies. They agreed to make joint efforts to oppose trade protectionism, push for an early conclusion of the Doha round of trade talks and advance the reform of the international financial system. They also pledged to push the G20 summit in London for substantive outcome.

Sixth, enhance coordination and consultation in international affairs. Both sides agreed to conduct dialogue and exchanges on global issues of common concern to promote harmonious and sustainable development of the world.

Following the talks, the two leaders jointly witnessed the signing of a range of bilateral cooperation agreements concerning electric power, automobile, machinery manufacturing, railway transportation, ecological protection and culture. They also attended a joint press conference. Both sides also issued a joint statement on joint efforts to stabilize global economy.