Senior Chinese Legislator Meets Former German President -- china.org.cn

Senior Chinese legislator Cheng Siwei exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations in a meeting with visiting former German President Richard Von Weizsacker in Beijing on Monday.

Cheng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said the China-Germany relations witnessed a smooth development with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in various fields including politics, economy and culture.

The mature and sound development of the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries is believed to continue, Cheng noted.

Weizsacker echoed Cheng as saying that China and Germany, with profound friendship, are enjoying fast growing cooperation in such areas as politics, economy and trade.

Weizsacker said he hopes the two countries can further expand bilateral cooperation and promote the development of the bilateral relations.

Cheng also briefed Weizsacker on the efforts made by the NPC and its standing committee on building a harmonious socialist society.

Xu Kuangdi, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference also met with Weizsacker on Monday.

Weizsacker said that China should continue to push forward for the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue so as to exert a positive influence on the Iran nuclear issue.

Xu said the changing world situation spells both opportunities and challenges, and citizens the world over desire a harmonious world with long-term peace and common prosperity.

"To achieve this goal, we need concerted efforts from the international community including both China and Germany," Xu added.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection.

Weizsacker served as German president from 1984 to 1994. He was invited to Beijing by China Institute of Strategic Studies, a think-tank on international issues.

Before the meeting, he also gave a speech titled "European Union and China - Common Interests and Responsibility in the Globalized World" to about 150 researchers and scholars on strategic issues.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2006)