Chinese, German leaders reach consensus on bilateral ties

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Berlin on Monday that he and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder reached consensus on a wide range of issues for improving Sino-German relations.

Speaking to reporters at a joint press conference following their meeting, Wen said he had a friendly and fruitful discussion with Schroeder.

The two leaders agreed to set up a mechanism for regular meetings between premiers of the two governments, Wen said. The two countries will further promote economic and trade cooperation,he added.

The two countries will make joint efforts to double their bilateral trade volume in 2015, Wen said. Germany is China's biggest trade partner in Europe, with their trade volume reaching41.8 billion US dollars last year.

Both sides also agreed to deepen high-tech cooperation, bringing bilateral high-tech projects into economic cooperation plan, according to Wen.

The Chinese premier said that the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between enterprises, particularly small andmedium sized ones and provide assistance for them.

The two governments will also set up a regime for dialogue on international and regional affairs.

Schroeder said that he supported the move of European Union (EU) to end its ban on arms sale to China and give China full economic market status. Wen expressed his appreciation at the support.

Prior to the press conference, the two leaders attended a ceremony for the signing of seven documents on economic cooperation between the two countries, including Letter of Intent on Purchasing 20 Dornier 328-300 Jet between HNA (Hainan Airline) Group Company Limited and AvCraft Aviation Ltd.

Source: Xinhua