China willing to deepen German ties

Merkel said Germany attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and is interested in participating in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Germany always welcomes and actively supports Chinese investors, she added.

The chancellor said that amid global uncertainties, Germany is ready to maintain communication with China on the world trade situation.

In his keynote speech, Liu introduced China's current economic situation and development prospects. He stressed that the year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and a series of major measures to further open up are being implemented expeditiously.

Liu noted that China and the European Union are both staunch supporters of free trade rules as well as the multilateral system and share enormous common interests.

The two sides should understand and accommodate each other, deepen cooperation, join hands to confront challenges so as to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind and achieve lasting peace and common prosperity across the globe, Liu said.

During his visit, Liu also held talks with German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, and met with German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, the German Chancellor's economic adviser Lars-Hendrik Roeller, First Mayor of Hamburg Peter Tschentscher, and EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

Xinhua