Chinese, German presidents meet on ties (2)

Despite their different systems, Germany and China can enhance mutual understanding and learn from each other through dialogues and exchanges, said the German leader.

On China's development, Xi stressed that China's success results in essence from its choice of a development path that suits its own national conditions and has Chinese characteristics.

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government aim to constantly improve the welfare and happiness of the country's 1.3 billion people, Xi said, adding that China has always been fighting for the goal since it adopted the reform and opening-up policy and will continue to do so.

China, he added, has always held an open attitude toward all civilizations and is willing to carry out dialogues and exchanges with other countries, including Germany, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, so that they can learn from each other and achieve common progress.

Germany is the third leg of Xi's ongoing Europe tour, which will also take him to Belgium. Before Germany, he visited the Netherlands and France.