German Chancellor Angela Merkel watches Premier Li Keqiang sign the guest book on his arrival for a dinner at the German government's Meseberg Palace in Meseberg some 60 km north of Berlin, on Sunday. (Odd Andersen / Reuters)

During Li's maiden official trip, bilateral relations with the four countries he visited were significantly strengthened and a number of agreements were signed to promote economic cooperation.

Premier Li Keqiang concluded on Monday his first foreign official tour since taking up the post in March. The visit, which took him to India, Pakistan, Switzerland and Germany, has been hailed as fruitful, strengthening friendship and trust and promoting bilateral trade. During the nine-day trip, which started on May 19, Li exchanged in-depth views with foreign leaders, met local business leaders, old friends of the Chinese people and overseas Chinese. The premier witnessed the signing of a number of agreements to promote economic cooperation, including a significant accord for a free trade agreement with Switzerland.

The premier is welcomed at the airport by Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari (left) and interim prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (right) upon his arrival in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday. (Ma Zhancheng / Xinhua)

Li and Swiss President Ulrich Ueli Maurer attend a signing ceremony after meeting in Bern on Friday, as Li continues the third leg of his four-nation tour. (Ma Zhancheng / Xinhua)

Li meets the relatives of late Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis in Mumbai on May 21, calling the doctor a real friend to China. Dr Kotnis treated injured Chinese soldiers during World War II and stayed in China until his death. (Ju Peng / Xinhua)

Li speaks after visiting the city of Potsdam, Germany, on Sunday. The Potsdam Proclamation was issued there in 1945. He said the peace and order achieved at the price of tens of millions of lives during World War II must be firmly safeguarded. (Pang Xinglei / Xinhua)