Chinese, German FMs hold talks on bilateral relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with visiting German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Beijing Wednesday.

Li said China and Germany have a good political relationship and bilateral cooperation in fields such as culture, education and science and technology is fruitful.

The Chinese side is satisfied with the close consultations and cooperation between the two foreign ministries, he said.

China attaches great importance to the relationship with Germany and is willing to further develop the Sino-German strategic partnership to deepen economic ties, said Li.

Li expressed his hope that both sides will keep conducting high-level visits, saying China welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to China early this year.

Steinmeier said Germany takes an active attitude towards the establishment of strategic dialogue between the two countries. He also praised the active role China has played in international and regional affairs.

Steinmeier stressed that the new German government will continue to stick to the one-China policy which Germany has always followed.

Both sides also exchanged views on international issues such as the Iran nuclear issue, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the reform of the United Nations.

Steinmeier arrived here on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to China.

Source: Xinhua