German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told Shanghai Mayor Xu Kuangdi during their meeting on the night of November 3 that the German business community would like to further cooperate with their Chinese counterparts by conducting more constructive dialogues.

Schroeder also spoke highly of Shanghai's achievements in improving housing conditions and an environment conducive to investment.

Mayor Xu gave a briefing on Shanghai's progress. After the meeting, Schroeder and Xu also met with a German business group accompanying Schroeder's visit.

The German chancellor arrived here Tuesday evening to begin his official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji.

Earlier today, Schroeder toured the Shanghai-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd., a Sino-German joint venture.