Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with German President Christian Wulff on Friday to upgrade relations between the two countries.

Li said China-Germany relations have been achieving new progress in recent years, particular last year when bilateral trade is expected to exceed 140 billion U.S. dollars, about one third of the total trade volume between China and the European Union (EU).

Noting that China always views its ties with Germany from a long-term strategic point of view, Li said that his visit is aimed at further advancing the bilateral relations, which will face new opportunities in the new year.

The two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional areas, expand the scale of mutual investment and create sound environment for fair competition for enterprises, Li added.

With Germany as China's largest source of technology in Europe, he said that it is beneficial for both countries and the world to see a combination of the German technology and the enormous Chinese market.

Li said relations between Beijing and Berlin are of global significance, and that better coordination between China and Germany on important international and regional issues will also bring development and prosperity to the world.

The German President said that his country attaches great importance to and admire China's development, which is viewed by Germany as an opportunity rather than a threat.

He agreed that the two countries should strive for a closer strategic partnership based on mutual trust.

Both China and Germany are playing important roles on issues like maintaining world peace, countering terrorism and improving international financial and monetary systems, Wulff said, adding that Germany is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on the world stage such as in the G20 (Group of 20 major economies).

The German President also stressed the importance of cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries and said that the two sides should also strengthen cooperation in technology and innovation.

Wulff said he is glad to hear that China has agreed to be the partner country of the Hanover Fair 2012, the world's biggest industrial fair. He said the trade fair will offer an opportunity for China to showcase its development, especially its clean energy technologies.

Li responded that there is great potential for Sino-German cooperation in areas such as clean energy, adding that China wants to learn from Germany's advanced technology and management expertise and join hands with Germany to develop the new energy markets.

China wants to use the opportunity of the Hanover Fair to strengthen high-tech cooperation with Germany, he added.