Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday attended an opening ceremony of a series of cultural activities aiming to promote the image of her country.

It will take three years for Germany to hold the activities to make Chinese people more familiar with German society, economy and culture, Merkel told the ceremony held in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province,

The activities will play an active role in deepening understanding and friendship between the Chinese and German people, Merkel said.

"We hope more Germany companies to set up joint ventures or invest in Jiangsu, especially in the areas of manufacturing, tourism and service industry," Governor Liang Baohua told Merkel during a meeting.

The activities will also be held in major Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Shanghai. The year 2007 marks the 35th anniversary of establishment of the Germany-China diplomatic ties.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2007)