Chen made the remarks while meeting with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday.

Briefing the guests on the development of Shanghai, Chen said the great changes of Shanghai in recent years have laid a solid foundation for its steady, rapid and sound development in the future.

Schroeder said Germany has successfully cooperated with China in economy and trade. Shanghai, a city with vitality, represents the image of modern Chinese cities, he said.

He also pointed to Germany's increasing investment in China, in many huge projects in particular, citing the successful construction of the maglev railway in China's business hub of Shanghai as a milestone in the effective cooperation in economy and technology.

Germany will strengthen its cooperation with Shanghai in tourism, cultural and educational fields in the future, he said.

Statistics show the trade volume between Shanghai and Germany totaled 4.5 billion US dollars from January to October, an increase of 17.82 percent over the same period last year.

By the end of September, Germany has invested in 412 projects in Shanghai, with a total contracted investment over 3 billion US dollars.

The German Chancellor and his party arrived in Shanghai from Beijing Monday afternoon, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Germany Ma Canrong.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2002)