President Hu starts state visit to Germany
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-11 08:30

BERLIN -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here Thursday on a three-day state visit to Germany with the aim to promote bilateral partnership.

In a written arrival statement, Hu said "I believe that this visit will make a constructive contribution to promoting the development of the Sino-German partnership with global responsibility."

Hu said that the exchanges and friendship between Chinese and German peoples date back long time ago and the development of all-round bilateral relations has sped up since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972.

The current bilateral relations are featured by close political contacts, strong momentum in economic and trade cooperation, active exchanges in such fields as science, technology, education,culture, legislation and tourism as well as sound consultations and coordination on international matters, the statement said.

Hu said that as Sino-German relationship is entering a new phase of development, he expects to have an in-depth exchange of views with German leaders on deepening comprehensive Sino-German friendly cooperation and to have broad contact with German people from all walks of life.

During his stay in Berlin, the Chinese president will hold talks with German President Horst Koehler, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and his successor Angela Merkel. He will also attend a ground-breaking ceremony of the China Culture Center in Berlin anddeliver a speech at the German Asian Pacific Commission.

Hu will also visit the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the country's industrial hub.

The Chinese President came here following his state visit to Britain. After German, he will also visit Spain and the Republic of Korea where he will attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Busan.