Premier Wen in Potsdam

China and Germany will strive to deepen their good relations in various fields, said the heads of the government of the two countries on Monday.

In a joint statement issued following their talks, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroedernoted that relations between the two countries are sound and that they are in broad agreement on important international issues.

China and Germany are pleased to see that close relations existat all levels and involve various organizations, leading to mutualrespect and understanding.

To broaden the solid basis of political and economic contacts, both sides have taken an important step in setting up a Chinese General Consulate in Frankfurt and a German Consulate in Chengdu, the statement said.

In the statement, the German government pledged to unequivocally adhere to the One China policy and supports the peaceful reunification of China.

It also opposes the "independence of Taiwan" and any steps aimed at increasing tension across the Taiwan Strait, the statement said.

In the statement, the two countries undertake to further promote economic relations, development and environmental cooperation. Berlin will encourage the German business firms to increase their participation in China's development of its westernregion and the economic revitalization of its northeastern region,it added.

Both sides are willing to deepen cooperation in future-orientedscience and technologies, increase activities of small and medium-sized German business firms in China and welcome bilateral cooperation in the private sector, the statement said.

The Chinese and German governments will make unremitting efforts in furthering cooperation in development and environmentalpolicies as well as jointly promoting harmonized global economy, society and environment oriented towards future, it said.

Efforts of bilateral cooperation will be concentrated in the fields of legal and economic reforms, protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources, renewable energy, energy efficiency, water purification and transportation system conduciveto environment.

The two governments also agree to continue dialogue in developing legal states and human rights as well as abiding by andpromoting objectives and principles set in the UN Charter and World Declaration on Human Rights, the statement said.

Germany welcomes the human rights provision adopted in China's constitution, notices the positive preparation by China to ratify the Covenant on Civic and Political Rights, and supports the EU cooperation with China in this regard, it said.

The two sides agree to expand cooperation in other fields, especially in culture, education and health care, it said.

The two countries decide to sign a comprehensive cultural cooperation accord to provide best working conditions for each other's institutions, said the statement.

It said that both governments will welcome and support the opening of a Chinese cultural center in Berlin, "German Year" activities in China in 2009-2010, linguistic teaching and contactsbetween young people for the purpose of mutual understanding, it said.

They have also agreed to establish a high-level non-official dialogue forum to put forward suggestions in widening government cooperation in the political, economic and cultural aspects, the statement said.

Both sides are willing to make special joint efforts in reducing poverty and realizing sustainable development and China appreciates Germany's sympathy and assistance in last year's fighting against SARS, it said. E