Li and Merkel: friendship behind the China-Germany economic 'dream team'
October 2015
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| Premier Li Keqiang talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Oct 29, 2015. [Photo/gov.cn] |
The talk in the hallway of the Great Hall of the People lasted about 10 minutes, after already extending a meeting from the scheduled 30 minutes to 70 minutes. Later, at a joint news conference, they agreed to seek mutual benefits from China's "Made in China 2025" plan and Germany's Industry 4.0 concept.
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| Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchange gifts before dinner in Hefei, the capital of East China's Anhui province, on Oct 30, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] |
It was the first time that Li has invited a foreign leader to visit his home province.
After presentations of Anhui calligraphy and painting and a tea art show, the two leaders exchanged gifts. Li presented Merkel with quality local tea varieties such as Qimen black tea and Huangshan maofeng tea, as well as an Anhui-style picture made of silk and brocade. In return, the German leader gave Premier Li a porcelain statue made by Germany's Royal Porcelain Factory, and a comic book showing the cultural differences between the two countries.
