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Chinese, German leaders vow to enhance ties
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-11 06:15 Chinese President Hu Jintao and his German
counterpart Horst Koehler on Thursday vowed to make joint efforts to push
forward the Sino-German partnership with global responsibility.
Hu, who arrived in Berlin earlier Thursday, was warmly greeted by
Koehler at the Charlottenburg Palace, where he inspected a guard of honor.
Following the welcome ceremony, the two leaders held talks which focused on
international issues of common concern.
Koehler said China's rapid development over the past two decades has drawn
worldwide attention and its influence and role in international affairs is also
growing.
Germany cherishes its friendly relations with China and hopes to expand
exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, he said.
Hu told Koehler that both China and Germany are countries carrying
considerable weight in the world and their relationship has developed smoothly
since diplomatic ties were forged in 1972.
Bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural and other
fields has been fruitful, he added.
First, the Sino-German relationship has a solid political foundation. The two
countries have no direct conflict of interests. China has always supported the
German reunification and Germany has long stuck to the one-China policy and
opposed "Taiwan independence," Hu said.
Secondly, both countries have attached great importance to improving their
relationship. In May 2004, the two countries issued a joint statement saying
they would establish a partnership with global responsibility within the
framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the
European Union (EU), he said.
"This is a strategic decision jointly made by both sides," Hu stressed.
In the current international situation, the strengthening of Sino-German
relations is conducive to the development of Sino-EU relations, as well as world
peace, stability and prosperity, the Chinese president noted.
He said China stands ready to maintain high-level contacts and intensify
political dialogues and consultations between the two sides.
China welcomes more investments from Germany's business people,encourages
Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany, and actively promotes exchanges and
cooperation in science and technology, education, culture and environmental
protection, he added.
He expressed the hope that China and Germany will maintain communication and
coordination in dealing with major international affairs.
Echoing Hu's remarks on bilateral relations, Koehler emphasized that Germany
will maintain the continuity of its policy towards China and fully implement all
the agreements set out in the joint statement by the two countries.
The German president spoke highly of China's efforts in poverty alleviation,
adding that he is following closely China's economic and social development.
Hu told Koehler that China adheres to the policy of maintaining good
neighborly relations with neighboring countries, and is willing to enhance
mutual trust and expand cooperation with them and create a win-win situation for
all.
"China's development can only bring up opportunities for Asian countries and
contribute to Asia's economic growth, and will never impede success of others,
nor pose any threat to anybody," Hu added.
The two leaders also exchanged views on support for African countries'
development. Hu said China always attaches importance to Africa and will
continue to make its contributions to aid efforts for African countries.
Following their talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony for
several documents on cooperation between the two countries in culture,
transportation, telecommunications, medicine and health care.
Hu arrived Thursday afternoon after a state visit to Britain. Germany is the
second leg of his four-nation tour, which will also take him to Spain and South
Korea. He will also attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Busan,
South Korea on Nov. 18-19.
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