Chinese President Hu Jintao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday agreed to further the ties of the two countries.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington April 13, 2010. President Hu Jintao arrived in Washington on Monday to attend the Nuclear Security Summit slated for April 12-13.

Hu said China-Germany relations are developing soundly, and leaders of the two countries have maintained close contact.

China and Germany enjoy good opportunities to move forward their ties under the current complex and changeable international circumstances, said Hu. China is willing to join hands with Germany to raise bilateral ties to a new high, he added.

He said China welcomes German President Horst Kohler's visit to China in May and his attendance of the Shanghai World Expo.

The two countries have vigorously cooperated in the fields of economics and trade, culture, education, science and technology and justice, and enhanced communication and coordination on regional and international issues.

As to climate change, Hu emphasized the issue concerns the world's sustainable growth and the well-being of the peoples of different countries, so it requires joint response from the international community.

The Chinese president said the results of the Copenhagen climate change conference were hard-won, and developed countries should honor their promises to provide fund and transfer technology to developing countries.

He said China is willing to maintain communication and coordination with Germany to push for new progress in international cooperation on climate change and positive results at the Mexico climate change conference due at the end of this year.

Merkel said Germany-China ties are developing well, with President Kohler's upcoming visit to China and participation in the Shanghai World Expo being a good example.

Despite the impact of the international financial crisis, trade between Germany and China has maintained growth, she said.

Germany will host a ministerial meeting on climate change in May and expects to cooperate with China closely to secure the success of the Mexico conference.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Hu and Merkel are in Washington to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, which attracted heads of state and government and senior officials from 47 countries and some international organizations.

President Hu paid a visit to Germany in 2005, while Merkel visited China in 2008.