Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said in his talks in Beijing Monday with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder that China welcomes Germany to play a bigger role in international affairs and China is willing to establish cooperation with Germany in campaigns against terrorism and peace-keeping operations.

Wen spoke positively on the all-around and rapid development of China-Germany ties. China and Germany are both nations with great influence worldwide. The two nations share a broad consensus and common interest in significant issues such as promoting world peace and development.

Chinese government always regards the relations with Germany from a strategic and long-term perspective, and China is willing to continue pushing forward the strategic partnership between the two nations, Wen said.

Wen also offered suggestions on how to strengthen the Sino-German relations in the next stage. He said that the nations should continue to maintain high-level political exchanges to increase mutual trust. Coordination and cooperation on bilateral and multilateral issues should be furthered.

The Chinese premier also highlighted that two sides should expand bilateral trade cooperation and realize the objective of doubling the bilateral trade volume in 2010.

The two governments should give full play to the mechanisms of China-Germany joint committee on economic and trade cooperation and cement cooperation in fields of science and technology, environmental protection and energy, and boost cooperation between the Chinese and German small and medium-sized enterprises, Wen said.

Wen stressed that respecting cultural diversity and encouraging equal dialogue between different cultures are carrying significant realistic meaning under the backdrop of current international situation. He called for the two sides to actively implement cultural exchanges and cooperation, especially those among the youth of the two nations to expand their mutual understanding and friendship.

Schroeder agreed with Wen's comment and suggestions on the bilateral relations.

He said Germany-China relations have been developed to an unprecedented depth. Under the guideline of Germany-China joint statement, the two sides established close political communication, as well as the dynamic economic and trade cooperation, and dialogue mechanism between nations ruled by law.

Germany has had good and constant exchanges and communication with China in cultural and educational fields. The German government and people attach great importance to relations with China, Schroeder said. He pledged that Germany would stick to the one-China policy and play an active role in promotion of China-Germany and China-EU relations.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2004)