Senior CPC leader meets German president
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Li Changchun, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with German President Horst Koehler in Berlin on Tuesday.
Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao 's greetings to Koehler, and welcomed Koehler's scheduled visit to China next month for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and relevant events of the "German day," due on May 19.
The Sino-German relations have witnessed healthy development with intensive high-level exchanges. Despite the serious international financial crisis, the trade volume between the two countries still exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars last year, Li said.
The project of "Germany and China -- Moving Ahead Together," a three-year festive activity since 2007 which invited the two presidents, Koehler and Hu, as joint patrons, received positive responses widely, showing the great development potential of Sino- German cooperation, Li noted.
He said that the Chinese government has always promoted bilateral ties with Germany from a strategic height and long-term perspective. Under the complex and volatile international political and economic situation, it was particularly important for both countries to boost communication and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
In the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, China was ready to, with joint efforts from the German side, apprehend and care for the core interests of each other, deepen political mutual trust, boost economic ties and cultural exchanges, and strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, for the well-being of the people of both countries and the world's lasting peace and prosperity, Li said.
He also briefed Koehler on China's current economic situation and plans to change the pattern of economic growth.
Koehler said that he looks forward to meeting President Hu during his visit to China and attending the Shanghai World Expo. When maintaining rapid economic growth, China has made great efforts to improve people's living standard and seek balanced social development, he noted.
The president said various global challenges, such as climate change, called for strengthened cooperation and coordination among all countries. Germany attaches great importance to China's role in international affairs, and sincerely hopes to work with China for a comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development of the world, he stressed.
