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Thursday, July 12, 2018, 15:59
Li's trip seen as a signal of more Sino-German cooperation
By Xinhua
Thursday, July 12, 2018, 15:59 By Xinhua

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (third from right) holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (third from left) in Berlin, Germany, July 9, 2018. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BERLIN - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Germany has released a clear signal of future collaboration between China and Germany, according to a Chinese diplomat.

Wang Weidong, commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in Germany, made the remarks in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

"The strategic implications of the visit have transcended the bilateral scope with a global impact, and have seen very important achievements,"  Wang said. 

The strategic implications of the visit have transcended the bilateral scope with a global impact, and have seen very important achievements

Wang Weidong, Commercial counselor, Chinese embassy in Germany

Li returned to Beijing on Wednesday after official visits to Bulgaria and Germany.

During the week-long Europe tour, Li also attended the seventh leaders' meeting of China and the Central and Eastern European countries in Sofia, Bulgaria, and co-chaired the fifth round of inter-governmental consultations between China and Germany with his German counterpart, Angela Merkel, in Berlin.

Wang said the fact that a series of new measures launched since the start of this year in China for further opening-up, which have been put into practice in the Sino-German cooperation, is a strong counterattack against some skeptics in Germany who criticize China's opening-up as "all talk and no deed."

The two parties have reached a number of cooperation agreements in new technology areas such as autopilot, Internet of Things and new energy-driven vehicles, with a value of nearly US$30 billion, Wang noted.

The leaders of both China and Germany have voiced their objection to protectionism during the consultations, and on various occasions emphasized their steadfast support for free trade and a rules-based multilateral trading system, he said.

Meanwhile, the two countries should also deepen cooperation in trade, science and technology innovation. Statistics show that two-way trade and economic cooperation are gathering strong momentum, said Wang, adding that two-way investment, economic and trade cooperation between local areas of the two countries, as well as cooperation between medium- and small-sized enterprises are also gaining steam.

"It is hoped that Chinese and German enterprises can make full use of the first China International Import Expo this November in Shanghai to explore more chances for cooperation," he said.

READ MORE: Li calls for cooperation with Germany

Wang added that China and Germany should jointly explore global market and work together in the Belt and Road Initiative, saying enterprises of the two countries can actively search for new areas and models in the Belt and Road cooperation, and set up a set of pilot projects in which China and Germany can work together to develop third-party markets so as to set an example of win-win cooperation.

During the consultations, China has called for two-way opening-up and more fair, transparent and predictable investment environment, as well as fair treatment to Chinese enterprises in Germany.

During Li's visit, Merkel also made it clear that Germany welcomes Chinese investment and there will be no discrimination against Chinese investors, said Wang.

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