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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke at a joint press conference after holding talks in Beijing. They announced more than 20 cooperative projects signed during this round of intergovernmental consultations. They also talked about furthering cooperation in trade and investment.

BEIJING, June 13, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a welcoming ceremony for Merkel before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

A warm welcome by her Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

High-level exchanges as well as government cabinets holding talks--this is what inter-governmental consultations are all about. 

Meeting every two years to lay down more pragmatic projects. This time Merkel and Li witnessed a signing ceremony of 24 cooperation projects or MOUs.

Collaborating on innovation, scientific development, environmental protection, education programs as well as energy sectors were all included.

Merkel and Li also held a joint news briefing after their meeting.

They both started by offering their condolences to the victims of Sunday's shooting in Orlando

"China opposes any form of violent and terrorist actions," Li Keqiang said, "We express our deep condolences over the death of the victims, and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the wounded and families of the victims. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery."

"We have a heavy heart. I think I can say this on behalf of all others who are guests here from Germany," Angela Merkel said, "that the hatred and badness of one single person, took the lives of more than 50 people. We are determined, even if such murderous attacks leave us deep in mourning, to continue to live in an open and tolerant way."

More than any other European country, Germany has benefited from the rapid expansion of the Chinese economy over the past decade.

Germany is China's biggest trading partner and technology exporter in Europe

China is Germany's second largest trading partner outside the European Union, after the United States.

"We agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, and investment and finance sectors," Li Keqiang said, " in order to shape a new engine of economic growth between the two countries. Or, in other words, transform and upgrade the old traditional engine of growth. We will both strive to foster a more friendly environment for economic exchanges, expand bilateral investment, and cross-border RMB transactions. We will also deepen cooperation in the manufacturing sector."

"We have talked about Article 15 regarding China's EU market economy status," Angela Merkel said, " On behalf of the German side, I want to say that we remember our earlier promise. That promise still stands today. Germany is always open to investment from Chinese enterprises."

On Sunday, Merkel visited the University of Chinese academy of Sciences and was conferred upon a doctorate degree by Nanjing University.

Merkel spoke highly of the sound development of ties with China.

BEIJING, June 13, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R, back) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L, back) meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)