Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, made the remarks at a reception held Monday in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany.

He said China and Germany have conducted effective cooperation and had numerous influential exchanges in extensive fields and Germany has become China's biggest trade partner in Europe.

The cooperation is of special significance in the era of multipolarization and globalization, Chen said.

He noted that China has always attached great importance on Germany's role in the process of European integration and hopes to continue its cooperation with Germany in the Sino-European framework.

German Ambassador to China Joachim Broudre-Groeger said Germany has been a reliable partner to China by keeping to the one-China principle.

Moreover, he characterized the relations between Germany and China as "remote nations but intimate friends."

Germany is willing to cooperate with China in all possible fields and the next 30 years will also be bright for Germany and China, he added.

Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), and Wang Shu, chairman of the Sino-German Friendship Association were among those present at the reception.

(People's Daily October 21, 2002)