China, Germany vow to lift partnership to higher levels

BERLIN, Oct. 10  -- China and Germany on Friday released a comprehensive action plan designed to further promote their all-dimensional strategic partnership.

The document, a guideline for bilateral cooperation in the medium and long terms, was issued during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's ongoing official visit to the European economic powerhouse.

The two sides should work together to properly implement the blueprint, and pursue common development from a long-term perspective, so as to raise their relationship to higher levels, Li said while co-chairing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel the third round of bilateral governmental consultations.

Stressing that China and Germany are both nations with great influence, Li said bilateral ties have become increasingly strategic and future-oriented since being upgraded to an all-dimensional strategic partnership earlier this year.

He said the China-Germany relationship is not a simple buyer-seller relationship, but a high-level win-win cooperative relationship with bright prospects.

Beijing, the premier added, is ready to open strategic dialogue with Berlin on diplomatic and security affairs so as to strengthen communication and coordination on international affairs and jointly promote world peace and prosperity.

China and Germany should develop an innovative partnership and particularly boost innovative cooperation in such areas as industry, science and technology, agriculture, education, environment protection, urbanization, health care and social security, Li said.

More new ideas are needed to lift bilateral relations to even higher levels, said Li, adding that the two sides should pursue innovation in cooperation models, mechanisms and measures, and create new bright spots that can lead bilateral cooperation into the future.

Stressing that China is willing to strengthen trade, investment and technological cooperation with Germany, he urged Germany to increase high-tech exports to China, facilitate Chinese investment in Germany, support the inauguration of feasibility studies on a China-EU free trade zone, and help ease the EU's high-tech export restrictions on China.

Li also called on the two sides to continue cooperation in electric vehicles, aerospace technology and other manufacturing industries, enhance coordination on macro-economic policies and promote offshore Renminbi business in Europe.

In addition, he suggested that the two countries tap into the potential of China-Europe rail freight transport, rev up cultural communication, and roll out measures such as easing visa procedures to encourage people-to-people exchanges.

Merkel, for her part, said China is an important and reliable partner for Germany, and the two sides have carried out in-depth exchanges and cooperation in various areas and achieved fruitful results.

The governmental consultations between Germany and China serve as an efficient platform for bilateral cooperation and have promoted the development of bilateral relations, she said.

Germany is ready to expand cooperation and develop a win-win innovative partnership with China, said Merkel, adding that her country will deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, industry, agriculture, science and technology, finance, infrastructure, culture and other areas.

The two countries should strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs, and jointly maintain and promote world peace, stability and prosperity, she said.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several governmental documents and business contracts. During Li's visit, China and Germany inked 18.1 billion U.S. dollars' worth of trade, investment and technological cooperation deals.

Li arrived here Thursday for a three-day official visit. Germany is the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will later take him to Russia and Italy.