China, Germany hold 1st bilateral minister-level strategic dialogue
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China and Germany held their first bilateral minister-level strategic dialogue in Beijing on Friday, pledging to enhance mutual trust and boost the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and visiting German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
China and Germany have held four strategic dialogues at the vice-minister level since 2006, and agreed in 2010 to upgrade their dialogues to minister-level.
"Sino-German relations have continued to progress and the two sides have decided to set up a strategic partnership," Yang said at the meeting.
"Germany is an important partner for China and the Chinese government attaches great importance to the Sino-German relationship," Yang said.
Sino-German trade reached 140 billion U.S. dollars last year, about one-third of the total trade volume of China and the European Union.
With trade playing a key role in bilateral ties, officials believe that the two countries' common interests go beyond economics.
In today's world, China and Germany are faced with many common challenges and share increasing interests, Yang said, adding that the development of bilateral ties will not only help to better people's lives in the two countries, but also ensure peace and development in the rest of the world.
Westerwelle also emphasized the importance of bilateral ties at the meeting.
Germany is committed to its strategic partnership with China and is willing to strengthen cooperation in economic, political, technological and cultural fields, he said.
The two sides agreed to further deepen mutual understanding and trust through contacts and dialogues of various levels, respect each other's development roads, have closer cooperation in international affairs and work together against various challenges.
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