This is not only in the fundamental interests of China and Germany, both influential countries in the region and in the world, but also conducive to world peace and stability, Jiang said.

He made the remarks during his Monday morning meeting with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Jiang said that Sino-German exchanges and cooperation have contributed significantly to trade, science, technology, culture, education, law and environmental protection.

In recent years, he went on to say, the bilateral relationship has seen rapid growth, more frequent exchanges and closer cooperation, while consultation and coordination in international affairs continue to intensify.

Making reference to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, Jiang said that, in the past three decades, the two nations have treated each other in a respectful and honest manner.

The two countries also sympathize with and support each other on major issues of principle, including the achievement of their respective national reunification, and this has generated a profound sentiment of friendship, he said.

Making reference to his visit to Germany last April, Jiang said he and Schroeder reached consensus on maintaining the exchange of high-level visits, expanding cooperation in various fields, and promoting cultural and personnel exchanges.

Schroeder said he agreed with President Jiang's viewpoints on Germany-China relations, noting that the German people still remember and continue to have the best regards of Jiang's April visit to Germany.

Germany and China share common interests in the political, economic and cultural sectors, he said, and he expressed the hope that the bilateral relationship would continue to advance and deepen.

He stated that current relations between the two nations are very good and that the German people greatly appreciate the Chinese people's wisdom and their fascinating culture.

The two leaders also described their respective countries' domestic circumstances.

In an allusion to the recently-concluded 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Jiang stressed that China will persist in its policies of reform and opening-up. This will, by no means, be changed, he said.

Congratulating Jiang on the success of the 16th party congress, Schroeder said China's persistence in its policies will play an important role in furthering its relations with other countries, which the German side greatly appreciates.

He briefed Jiang on Germany's economic situation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan was also in attendance.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2002)