Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Berlin on Thursday, starting his three-country trip that will last until Oct 18. [Photo/Xinhua]

Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Berlin on Thursday afternoon, the first leg of his three-country trip that will last until Oct 18.

It is Li's second trip to Germany since taking office in 2013.

Li said he expects the trip to promote mutual trust and produce long-term plans for cooperation, especially in trade and the innovation sector.

China and Germany upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March during President Xi Jinping's visit to the country.

During Li's stay, he will meet German President Joachim Gauck, hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and deliver a speech at the Sino-German economic and technical forum and the Hamburg Summit.