Chinese, German PMs agree to promote cooperation, strategic partnership (2)

He said the two countries should keep close contacts in fiscal and financial fields by setting up a dialogue mechanism that involves both the finance ministers and central bank governors.

He also suggested launching the China-Germany council of economic advisers, a Chinese chamber of commerce and an investment promotion agency in Germany.

In addition, the two countries should have closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Li said, citing "the Year of Languages" initiative and a student exchange program that would help enhance mutual understanding and pass on China-Germany friendship to future generations.

Li also underscored China's relations with the European Union (EU).

"Germany is the first EU country I visit since taking office as Chinese premier," Li said. "That shows the new Chinese leadership highly values China's relations with the EU."

China always sees Europe from a strategic point of view and firmly supports Europe's integration and the EU's efforts to tackle the debt crisis and maintain economic stability in Europe, the Chinese premier said.

China-EU relations face new opportunities as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Li noted.

He called on both sides to grasp the overall situation and the mainstream of their cooperation and properly handle their differences in order to make new strides in China-EU ties.

Li noted that China stands firmly against the EU's recent proposals to open anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into solar energy and mobile telecommunications equipment imported from China.

"The abuse of trade remedy measures would only send a wrong signal of trade protectionism to the outside world and negatively affect the business, industries and jobs of both countries," Li said.

China hopes to properly settle the issue through dialogue and consultation, instead of engaging in a trade war, he said.