On October 11, 1972, China established diplomatic relations with the then Federal Republic of Germany.

In October, 1975, German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt paid an official visit to China, the first by a German head of government.

In July 1995, Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Germany, the first by a Chinese head of state since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

In November 1996, German President Roman Herzog paid a state visit to China, the first by a German president since Germany was officially reunited in 1990.

In late June 2000, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji paid an official visit to Germany, during which both sides signed a cooperation agreement on legal exchanges.

In 2002, China overtook Japan to become Germany's largest trading partner in Asia.

In May 2004, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Germany. China and Germany agreed to establish a partnership of global responsibility within the framework of Sino-European comprehensive strategic partnership. An annual prime ministers' meeting mechanism was also established.

In November 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to Germany, witnessing the signing of cooperation documents on culture, transportation, health and telecommunication.

In May 2006, China and Germany launched the vice-minister level strategic dialogue during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to China.

In September 2006, China and Germany inked an agreement on youth exchanges during Premier Wen's visit to Germany.

In May, 2007, German President Horst Koehler visited China. The two countries agreed to make joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in various areas and lift their partnership of global responsibility to a higher level.

In August 2007, German Chancellor Merkel visited China and unveiled a three-year project, Germany and China - Moving Ahead Together, to showcase bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, environment and other fields.

In January 2009, Chinese Premier Wen visited Germany. Both sides released a statement pledging joint efforts to stabilize the global economy amid the ongoing financial and economic crisis.

In July 2010, German Chancellor Merkel visited China. The two countries issued a joint communique vowing to push forward their strategic partnership in a comprehensive way, and lifting the Sino-German strategic dialogue from vice-minister level to ministerial dialogue.

In April 2011, China and Germany held their first bilateral minister-level strategic dialogue in Beijing.

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