Foreign and Military Affairs
Merkel's July visit 'new starting point' for China-Germany co-op
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-19 09:39
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BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday he expects the upcoming visit to China by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to be a new starting point to enhance China-Germany economic cooperation.
Wen made the remarks while meeting with German entrepreneurs and German President Horst Koehler in Beijing.
Wen met separately with Koehler earlier Tuesday afternoon.
As major manufacturers and trading nations, China and Germany have played active roles in combating the financial crisis, Wen said.
Wen said the world economy is recovering sluggishly.
The sovereign debt crisis in Europe has slowed down the economic recovery, he said, adding that the impact of the crisis is more severe and complicated than people expected.
He urged the international community, in particular the major economies, to have a clear understanding of the situation, strengthen confidence, and seek an effective mechanism for global economic governance with joint efforts, so as to actively promote the world economic recovery.
Koehler agreed with Wen's views on the international financial situation, praising what China did to combat the financial crisis.
China has maintained stable and relative rapid economic growth, carried out reforms of its currency exchange rate in conformity with its national conditions, and actively participated in international cooperation, Koehler said, expressing Germany's appreciation for these efforts.
Wen said China and Germany have consensus on many major issues, share a promising future for cooperation in energy, culture, economy and trade, as well as science and technology.
China hopes to work with Germany to continuously enhance mutual trust, diversify cooperation and make more contributions to world harmony and sustainable development, Wen added.
Koehler said Germany would like to boost cooperation with China and strengthen coordination with China on major global issues like the reform of the global governance system.
