German President Horst K?hler met visiting President Hu Jintao
at Schloss Charlottenburg in Berlin on Thursday, and the two held
talks on international issues of common concern after a welcoming
ceremony.
Hu, who arrived in the German capital earlier that day, vowed to
make joint efforts to push forward the Sino-German partnership with
global responsibility.
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K?hler said China's rapid development over the past two decades has
drawn worldwide attention and its influence and role in
international affairs is also growing, adding that his country
hoped to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
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Hu said both nations carry considerable weight in the world and
their relationship has developed smoothly since diplomatic ties
were forged in 1972, with fruitful cooperation in political,
economic, cultural and other fields.
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Hu said this was because their relations have a solid political
foundation, and both sides have attached great importance to
improving them.
In May 2004, they issued a joint statement saying they would
establish a partnership with global responsibility within the
framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China
and the EU.
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Hu said China welcomes more investment from German business,
encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany, and actively
promotes exchange and cooperation in science and technology,
education, culture and environmental protection.
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K?hler said Germany would maintain its policy towards China and
fully implement all the agreements set out in the joint statement
by the two countries.
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They exchanged views on supporting African countries' development,
with Hu saying China will continue to make its contributions to aid
efforts there.
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Following the talks, the two attended the signing ceremony for
several documents on cooperation in culture, transportation,
telecommunications, medicine and health care.
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Germany is the second leg of Hu's four-nation tour after the UK,
which will also take him to Spain and South Korea. He is due to
attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Busan, South Korea
on November 18-19.
(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2005)
