German Chancellor Angela Merkel Tuesday called for "good and intensive relations" with China.

"The German side is perfectly ready" to continue the sound relations with China on both economic and political levels, Merkel told a news conference in Berlin, in response to a question raised by Xinhua.

The two countries have to rely on each other when it comes to international cooperation, said Merkel, who plans to visit Beijing in October for the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).

The Chancellor said China played a "constructive role" at the climate conference held on the Indonesian island of Bali in December which laid groundwork for a successor to the Kyoto agreement on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

She also wished China every success in hosting the Beijing Olympic Games.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2008)