BEIJING - A reception was held in Beijing Thursday evening to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle attended and addressed the event.

Yang said China and Germany had achieved fruitful results in friendly exchanges and cooperation during the past 40 years.

China-Germany cooperation is now standing at a new historical starting point, Yang said.

The two sides should develop mutual respect, boost mutual trust and expand cooperation to further promote the bilateral strategic partnership, the minister added.

Westerwelle said China's development had brought promising prospects for cooperation between the two countries. Germany is willing to boost ?bilateral relations to a higher level along with China, he said.

The reception was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the German Embassy in China.

Also Thursday, Yang and Westerwelle signed a statement of intent to build a closer cooperation between the two foreign ministries.