Chinese premier calls for better relations with Germany via upcoming visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who is in Beijing to attend the first meeting of the China-Germany people-to-people exchange dialogue, in Beijing, capital of China, May 24, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday met with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, pledging to further advance bilateral ties.

Li is scheduled to visit Germany and Belgium from next Tuesday to Friday. During the visit, he will attend an annual meeting between the Chinese premier and the German chancellor in Germany and the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Belgium.

Li said it is significant to both countries, Europe and the world for China and Germany to maintain a stable and healthy bilateral relationship.

He said he hoped his upcoming visit to Germany would help enhance political mutual trust, explore potential in cooperation, intensify people-to-people exchanges, and send a strong message to the world that China, Germany and Europe support economic globalization, free trade and investment and regional stability under the current unstable international circumstances.