On the afternoon of May 31, 2017 local time, Premier Li Keqiang and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany held the Annual China-Germany Prime Ministers’ Meeting at the Chancellery of Berlin.

 

Li Keqiang expressed that China-Germany relations have enjoyed rapid development and gradually moved toward maturity. Both countries enjoy close high-level exchanges, rapid development in trade and investment, and new exploitation in people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Under the current international situation where there still exists many uncertain factors, and the trend of anti-globalization and protectionism is rising, both sides should continue to uphold mutual respect and equal treatment, consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation, intensify exchanges, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, safeguard the rules of the World Trade Organization, and cope with external uncertainties with the stability of bilateral relations and cooperation, in a bid to jointly inject a positive signal of stability, cooperation and development into the region and the world at large.

 

Li Keqiang pointed out that China and Germany enjoy complementary economic advantages, highly interwoven interests and great potential for cooperation. China is willing to better align “Made in China 2025” with Germany’s “Industry 4.0” and other development strategies, promote two-way opening up with equality, make “the cake of cooperation” bigger, and deepen cooperation in manufacturing industry, energy, aviation and innovation as well as cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises. It is hoped that Germany could help China-developed large passenger plane C919 get an airworthiness certificate from the EU. Both sides should strengthen cooperation in such areas as education, culture and tourism, and further facilitate personnel exchanges. China supports Germany in well hosting the G20 Hamburg Summit, and stands ready to make joint efforts with Germany to advance global economic governance, and promote the robust, sustainable and balanced growth of world economy.

 

Li Keqiang stressed that as a comprehensive strategic partner of the EU, China always supports the European integration process, and is glad to see a united, prosperous and stable Europe, which will be conducive to the world multipolarization and economic globalization.

 

Angela Merkel expressed that Germany is a reliable cooperation partner of China, and both countries enjoy robust relations and sound cooperation. Under the current international situation, it is of great significance for Germany and China to maintain close high-level dialogues. Germany stands ready to, together with China, uphold the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win results, further enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, finance, new energy vehicles, medical care, and people-to-people and cultural engagement, well implement the integration between Germany’s “Industry 4.0” and “Made in China 2025”, and expand bilateral cooperation within the G20 framework. Highly appreciating China for its stance of supporting the European integration, the German side expects the 19th China-EU Summit to achieve outcomes.

 

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern.

 

Prior to the meeting, Angela Merkel held a grand welcoming ceremony for Li Keqiang at the square of the Chancellery. When Li Keqiang arrived, Angela Merkel greeted him and they stepped on the reviewing stand together. The military band played the national anthems of China and Germany. Li Keqiang, accompanied by Angela Merkel, reviewed the guard of honor. The national flags of China and Germany fluttered in the wind over the square.

 

Wan Gang, Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of Germany and others attended the meeting.