China reiterated Tuesday it attaches great importance to the relations with Germany and would like to promote the sound and healthy development of the bilateral ties.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao made the remarks in response to an article by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier published Monday in German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, urging Beijing to do more to ensure the rights of its minorities.

Liu told a regular press conference that China would promote ties with Germany on the basis of mutual respects and equality.

The two sides should seek common grounds while reserve difference in a bid to push the bilateral ties moving forward, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2008)