Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the relationship between the two countries, calling it a "comprehensive strategic partnership", and pledged to further drive bilateral relations.

They made a joint statement after holding talks at German Chancellery on Wednesday.

Xi and Merkel also oversaw the signing of cooperation deals in the field of aerospace industries, machinery supplies, aviation and automotive industries, as well as panda research cooperation.

During their talks, Xi and Merkel exchanged views on deepening bilateral relationships regarding trade, technology, people-to-people exchanges and security issues.

They also pledged to work more “inclusive and sustainable” in globalization.

Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the Panda Garden at the Berlin Zoo and watch a football match between Chinese and German youth teams.

He will later head to Hamburg to attend the G20 Summit on July 7 to 8, which is expected to focus on the issues of global economic growth, trade, spread of digital technology, climate policy and Africa's development.