Hu meets German leaders on expanding ties
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-12 08:55

Germany has advantages in technologies for clean and renewable energy, and China hopes to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in this field, he added.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of common concern.

Schroeder praised China's active role in the process of seeking a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

The outgoing chancellor stressed that Germany attaches importance to China's influence in peacefully solving the Iranian nuclear dispute, adding that Germany also hopes to have more cooperation with China in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

Hu reaffirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role in the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and maintaining regional peace and stability.

The Chinese leader emphasized that China has always opposed nuclear proliferation and upheld that the Iranian nuclear issue be resolved within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

China supports Germany and other European Union (EU) countries in seeking a long-term solution to the nuclear dispute through dialogues and negotiations with Iran, Hu said.

He also noted that China stands ready to provide aid to Afghanistan and work together with the world community to promote the country's stability.

Hu meets designated chancellor Angela Merkel

Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Friday that China is willing to work together with the new German government to push forward the bilateral relations.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with Germany's designated chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin Friday, November 11, 2005. [Xinhua]

During his meeting with designated chancellor Angela Merkel, Hu congratulated her on becoming the first woman chancellor in the German history, and spoke highly of her long-term contributions to the development of Sino-German relations.

Developing Sino-German relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, he said, adding that China will keep high-level exchanges and contacts with Germany and make joint efforts with the new German government to expand bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Merkel said that the new German government will stick to the policy toward China, which has been upheld since former chancellor Helmut Kohl took power.

The new government will strengthen political dialogues with China and explore new areas for bilateral cooperation, she added.

Hu arrived in Berlin Thursday for a state visit to Germany after a three-day tour in Britain. He will also visit Spain and South Korea, where he is to attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting on November 18-19.