Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Beijing on Monday with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

 

Wang said China-Germany relations have firm foundations and China-Germany and China-Europe cooperation have a broad prospect.

 

He noted that the CPC is ready to strengthen friendly exchanges with all political parties of Germany, especially exchanges between young politicians.

 

Merkel said party exchanges are an important channel for promoting bilateral relations. The German government will support political parties in Germany to contact with the CPC to enhance bilateral friendly cooperation, she said.

 

In another development, Wang spoke highly of the strategic partnership between China and Europe when meeting Hans-Gert Poettering, chairman of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PES).

 

He said the CPC attaches great importance to the exchanges with PES and is willing to deepen exchanges of views on issues of common concern.

 

Poettering said it is in the common interests of both sides to deepen mutual understanding and mutual trust. He said the PES will make efforts in strengthening Europe-China strategic partnership.

 

Wang also met with Wolfgang Eisl, special envoy of Austrian Federal Chancellor for Europe-Asia relations and special envoy of Salzburg Province for China affairs.

 

They exchanged views on China-Europe relations and cooperation between China and Austria.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)