The fourth Sino-German hi-tech dialogue forum opened in Beijing Monday, with the participation of visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Chinese Premier Wen suggested that the next forum change its name to the forum on Sino-German economic and technological cooperation, to reflect expanding cooperation between the two countries and the widening content of the forum.

Chancellor Merkel noted the forum's expanding role in promoting bilateral relations and pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economy, culture, education and other fields.

The forum was first held in 1997 at the proposal of Chinese and German leaders and has since evolved into a major platform for inter-governmental dialogue and bilateral economic and technological cooperation.

About 600 government officials, business leaders and technical experts took part in the forum, during which they discussed possible bilateral cooperation in energy, transportation, environmental protection, chemical industry and other fields.

Zhu Zhixin, deputy head of the China National Development and Reform Commission and German Economics Minister Michael Glos signed the bilateral memorandum of understanding on expanding the role of the forum.

Source: Xinhua