Li and Merkel: friendship behind the China-Germany economic 'dream team'

October 2015

Premier Li Keqiang talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel before a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Oct 29, 2015. [Photo/gov.cn]

The talk in the hallway of the Great Hall of the People lasted about 10 minutes, after already extending a meeting from the scheduled 30 minutes to 70 minutes. Later, at a joint news conference, they agreed to seek mutual benefits from China's "Made in China 2025" plan and Germany's Industry 4.0 concept.

Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchange gifts before dinner in Hefei, the capital of East China's Anhui province, on Oct 30, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

It was the first time that Li has invited a foreign leader to visit his home province.

After presentations of Anhui calligraphy and painting and a tea art show, the two leaders exchanged gifts. Li presented Merkel with quality local tea varieties such as Qimen black tea and Huangshan maofeng tea, as well as an Anhui-style picture made of silk and brocade. In return, the German leader gave Premier Li a porcelain statue made by Germany's Royal Porcelain Factory, and a comic book showing the cultural differences between the two countries.