Premier Zhu Rongji and visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder agreedon November 4 that China and Germany should promote bilateral relations, including consultation and cooperation on major international issues.

The two leaders exchanged views on ways to promote Sino-German relations and other issues of common interest.

Extending a "warm welcome" to Schroeder, Zhu said he believes that Schroeder's visit to China will further bilateral relations. Zhu said that China and Germany have had a number of beneficial exchanges in the realm of politics, economics, science, technology, education and culture.

Zhu Rongji noted that Germany has been China's biggest trading partner in Europe as well as China's biggest partner in vocational training. Zhu expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation will continue.

"China places great importance on developing its relations with Germany, and China's policy to actively promote relations with Germany will remain unchanged, no matter which political party is in office," Zhu stressed.

Zhu noted that Schroeder has stood for actively advancing relations with China and has maintained the continuity of Germany' s policy towards China since he came to office.

Schroeder said that the two countries enjoy a very friendly relationship, and their people have a traditional friendship. He added that cooperation between the two countries and people has been developing smoothly in recent years, and the two countries have also engaged in dialogs and cooperation in variety of areas based on mutual respect.

Exchanges between young people in China and Germany has been good. Many young Chinese are in Germany to further their studies, Schroeder said.

With regard to economic and trade relations, Zhu said that China is fully prepared to increase cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. China will gradually carry out cooperation with Germany in the service sector, including finance and insurance, in light with the maturity of the Chinese market.

Zhu also expressed appreciation at Schroeder's suggestions in promoting environmental protection.

Referring to China's stance on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Zhu said he hopes that Germany will play an active role in bolstering the European Union to lift restrictions on its trade with China as soon as possible.

Schroeder said that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has developed rapidly. Cooperation between large enterprises has been smooth, adding that small and medium-sized enterprises should increase their cooperation. He also expressed the hope that cooperation in the service sector will be further strengthened.

China is an important cooperative partner of Germany, Schroeder noted, adding that his country hopes that China will soon become a member of the (WTO). He also put forth specific proposals on promoting cooperation in environmental protection.

The two leaders highly evaluated fruitful dialogs on a wide range of subjects, including human rights. Schroeder expressed his willingness to continue such dialogs on the basis of mutual respect. Zhu said that such dialogs promote mutual understanding, adding that China places great importance on cooperation with the international community on human rights issues.

After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of two agreements.

Schroeder arrived in Beijing at noon from Shanghai to continue his official China visit. He opened an exhibition center in Shanghai this morning.