Senior CPC leader meets German vice chancellor

BERLIN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle here on Tuesday.

Li Changchun (L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with German Vice Chancellor and  Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Berlin, April 13, 2010. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan)

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, spoke highly of the steady growth of bilateral relations, stressing that the two countries have well established cooperation in politics, economy, trade and cultural exchange and have maintained close coordination on global issues.

The two nations have continuously expanded cooperation on trade and investment, especially in the areas of high technology, energy efficiency and environmental protection, which also showed great potentials to tap, Li said.

He said that although China and Germany have different social systems, development levels and cultural traditions, historical experience has proven that the two countries can achieve a win-win solution and bring benefits to the two peoples so long as the two sides firmly consolidate common interests with mutual respect and equality-based dialogue.

He said that China attached great importance to cementing relations with Germany and hoped to maintain the high-level contacts and enhance political mutual trust with joint efforts from the German side.

China was also willing to expand the two nations' economic and trade ties, promote cultural exchanges and deepen international cooperation with Germany, with a view to intensifying common benefits and mutual understanding, and lifting the strategic level of bilateral relations, Li stressed.