Chinese President Meets German Guests

Chinese President Meets German Guests

President Jiang Zemin met with Franz Muentefering, federal general-secretary of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Friday in Beijing.

Jiang, who is also the general-secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that bilateral relations have been progressing well since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1972.

He said that the two sides have maintained frequent high-level visits and economic and trade relations have also been expanded.

Germany has become the biggest trade partner of China in Europe and one of the biggest providers of technology to China, Jiang noted.

New progress has been made in Sino-German cooperation in various areas in recent years, Jiang said, adding that mutually beneficial cooperation is in line with the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries.

He said that he hopes the two sides will make further efforts to push forward the bilateral ties.

Jiang pointed out that the CPC and SPD both have a long history and tradition, saying that the CPC attaches importance and cherishes its friendly cooperation with SPD.

The CPC is willing to enhance its exchange and cooperation with the SPD on the basis of independence, full equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and will take an active role in the long-term healthy and steady development of the Sino-German relations, he said.

On Sino-European ties, the Chinese President said that China has always paid great attention to its friendly cooperative relations with the European Union (EU) and its member countries.

China is willing to see a more active role by the EU in international affairs, especially in pushing for a multipolarized world, Jiang noted.

Jiang said that he hopes China and the EU will proceed with the long-term and fundamental interests of both sides to consider and handle the bilateral ties under the current complex and fast-changing international situation.

He also said that he hopes the two sides will strengthen consultation and coordination and push forward the constructive partnership between them.

Muentefering said that Germany, China, and the world at large are at an important historical point.

With the ever increasing economic globalization and acceleration of the information technology, the earth has become "smaller", and nations have become nearer to one another, he noted.

Muentefering went on to say that the overall development of the world needs all nations to strengthen dialogue and contact, and increase mutual understanding.

Muentefering noted that he is glad to be the first SPD federal general-secretary to visit China.

Germany has always paid close attention to China's development and is delighted to see that China has found an appropriate way to the future, he said.

Although many differences remain between Germany and China, Muentefering said his Party wishes to deepen the dialogue, increase exchanges, and enhance bilateral cooperation with China and the CPC.