China

Premier vows closer ties with Germany

By Su Qiang (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-06 11:47

MESEBERG, Germany - China and Germany pledged on Tuesday to work closely in coordinating economic policies and get tougher in opposing trade and investment protectionism.

Premier Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Tuesday at Meseberg Palace in this quaint city north of Berlin to discuss China's relations with Germany and Europe on the eve of the 13th China-European Union summit in Brussels.

A joint statement issued after their meeting indicated that both sides had agreed to place priority on a series of talks about economic strategy and human rights.

The two leaders also agreed to placing more trust in each other's political moves. They said they would try to have better coordination between the two nations. Both countries are attempting to promote economic ties between China and Europe.

Merkel said Germany would continue to urge the EU to recognize China's full market economy status sooner than later. China agreed to hold talks with the EU on the matter.

To prepare for the upcoming G20 summit in Seoul, the two leaders also discussed global economic topics such as combating the ongoing global financial crisis.

In the statement, the two sides said they agreed to learn from the crisis and work toward economic recovery and sustainable growth.

On the topic of the United Nations climate change summit in Cancun, Mexico, later this year, the two leaders reaffirmed the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and spoke highly of the measures against climate change taken by the two governments.

The two countries shared the view that further efforts should be made to achieve substantial progress on climate change.

Xinhua contributed to this story.