German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder pledged in Berlin Thursday that he would continue to promote the development of the relations between Germany and China.  

When meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Finance Minister Jin Renqing, Schroeder said strengthening Germany-China cooperation is in the ultimate interests of both countries and their people, and he would like to play an active role in pushing forward bilateral ties.

Li Zhaoxing, who is here to attend an international conference on Afghanistan, said both countries have witnessed prospering bilateral relations, frequent exchanges of visits by leaders, deep-rooted Sino-German friendship and all-around fruitful cooperation, all of which have benefited the well-being of the two peoples.

Li added that China and Germany shared broad mutual interests in international affairs, and have conducted close consultation and coordination in efforts to promote multilateralism, combat terrorism and reconstruct Afghanistan.

Li hoped that Germany would firmly uphold the one-China policy and oppose the Taiwan authorities' bid to seek independence.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2004)