The first round of China-Germany strategic dialogue, co-chaired by Vice Foreign Ministry Zhang Yesui and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Silberberg, was held in Beijing Thursday.

 

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Silberberg before the strategic talks, according to the Foreign Ministry. Both sides exchanged views on China's relations with Germany and Europe as well as major international and regional issues of common concern.

 

They also agreed to develop bilateral ties from strategic and long-term perspective and enrich the China-Germany partnership with global responsibility.

 

Hailing the first round of talks as fruitful, the two sides agreed to continue the mechanism of strategic talks.

 

The China-Germany strategic dialogue mechanism was set up when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China this May.

 

The talks aim to step up strategic consultation, political mutual trust between the two countries so as to push forward the development of bilateral ties.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2006)