Before their talks, Li held a welcome ceremony for Merkel.

They also attended a meeting of China-German Economic Advisory Committee after their talks, and had exchanges with enterprises of both countries on investment environment, two-way openness, financial cooperation and protection of intellectual property rights.

Li called on Germany to treat Chinese companies as equal and trustworthy partners, and offer a more fair and easier environment for Chinese investment in Germany.

Merkel said she hopes the two countries would offer equal access for mutual investment of their enterprises.

Merkel is on an official visit to China on Thursday and Friday. Besides Beijing, she will also fly to Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong Province.