Chinese President Hu Jintao Thursday put forward a four-point proposal on promoting Sino-German relations in his talks with visiting German President Johannes Rau.

The first point of Hu's proposal was to continue the exchanges of high-level visits between China and Germany and enhance bilateral political consultation and cooperation. Secondly, he recommended promoting the in-depth expansion of Sino-German economic cooperation and trade and strengthening economic and technological cooperation, including that between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Hu's third point was to expand communication and cooperation in various fields apart from economic cooperation and to tighten the non-governmental exchanges between the two countries, and finally, to properly handle each other's concerns, and safeguard the healthy and sustained development of Sino-German relations.

Johannes Rau expressed his appreciation for Hu's proposal, and said both governments should not only encourage the large enterprises to enhance cooperation, but also should help SMEs to establish contacts and communication.

He said German SMEs are robust and very interested in developing cooperative ties with Chinese enterprises, noting that such businesses would make a vital contribution to bilateral economic cooperation and trade.

On the international situation, Hu said global multi-polarization is an irreversible trend in the long run, and China upholds the democratization of international relations and promotes the establishment of a just and rational new international political and economic order.

China welcome the integration process of Europe, Hu said, noting that China is willing to further deepen China-European ties and hopes that the European Union could play a more important constructive role in the international arena.

The Chinese president also reiterated that China firmly opposes terrorism in any form.

Looking back, Hu said the China-Germany ties have seen all-around expansion since the two established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago, adding that the exchange of high-level visits was frequent and the mutual political trust has been enhanced.

Sino-German economic cooperation has seen sustained expansion, he said, citing that the bilateral trade volume of last year was 100 times that of 1972 when the two established diplomatic relations.

China appreciates the German government's adherence to the "one-China" policy and dedication to China-Germany friendship, the Chinese president added.

While hailing the economic achievements China has made, Johannes Rau said that German-Chinese ties have seen unprecedented expansion, that Germany values its relations with China and that it is willing to further promote the bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Prior to the talks, Hu hosted a grand welcoming ceremony in honor of the German president, who is here for his first state visit to China at the invitation of Hu.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2003)