German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder met Thursday with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan to discuss bilateral and Sino-European ties and reached broad consensus.

In their talks, Schroeder highly rated bilateral relations, saying that Germany will further its comprehensive cooperation with China from a strategic perspective and continue to adhere to the one-China policy.

He expressed the hope that the two governments will work vigorously to create conditions for cooperation in more areas and at higher levels.

Zeng, for his part, said China attaches great importance to its ties with Germany, noting the frequent exchange of high-level visits, strengthened political mutual trust and expanded economic and trade cooperation in recent years.

The two nations have a broad prospect of developing economic and technical cooperation since they each have advantages in machinery and electronics, transport, energy resources, chemicals and environmental protection, Zeng said.

Zeng, who arrived here Monday on a five-day official visit, hoped that the two governments will make joint efforts to expand bilateral trade, and to encourage and support cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises while steadily pressing ahead with big projects.

German companies are welcome to participate in China's drive to develop the western regions and to rejuvenate the old industrial bases in the northeastern provinces, and increase their investments in the country, he said.

Zeng expressed the belief that Schroeder's upcoming visit to China will further enhance friendly relations between the two countries.

On Thursday, Zeng also met separately with German Finance Minister Hans Eichel and Minister of Economics and Labor Wolfgang Clement.