On May 26, 2013 local time, following their talks, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany held joint press conference.
Li Keqiang said, Germany is the only EU country included in my Euro-Asian tour. China-Germany relationship is of great importance. Both sides regard each other's development as their own important opportunity. It is with foundation and conditions to further deepen China-Germany relationship. The sound and stable development of the China-Germany relations carries great significance for the two countries, and also for China-Europe relations and the world at large. My visit is aimed to push froward China-Germany relations into a fast lane and a time of acceleration, so as to inject more impetus for the comprehensive cooperation between the two sides.
Li Keqiang said, Chancellor Merkel and I have just concluded a fruitful talk. We have discussed and planned for the direction and priorities of China-Germany cooperation in the next period and we reached important consensus on deepening China-Germany strategic partnership. We agreed to maintain the mechanism of annual Prime Ministers' meeting, to enhance consultations and communication at all levels, to promote cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, agriculture, urbanization and people-to-people exchanges, and to increase mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. These measures will strongly push forward the development of the bilateral relations.
Li Keqiang noted that strengthening cooperation between China and Germany will help boost the overall development of China-Europe relations. Europe is an important major force for safeguarding world peace and prosperity. China views its relations with Europe from a strategic, long-term and overall perspective. China supports the European integration as well as Europe becoming a pole of the world, and by various means, supports Europe for its efforts to address debt problems. A united, stable and prosperous Europe conforms to the interests of China and also helps push forward the process of world multi-polarity.
Li Keqiang stressed that as China and Germany differ in history, culture and national conditions, it is quite normal that the two countries have some different views. As the common interests between the two countries far outweigh the differences, China and Germany can absolutely expand common ground through candid communication and make friendship and cooperation the mainstream of bilateral relations.
Li Keqiang said that the Chinese side is very concerned about the recent investigations of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy that EU imposed on PV and wireless telecommunication products of China. These practices of trade protectionism sent a wrong message to the international community. It will not only be to the disadvantage of the related industries of China, but also to the detriments of European businesses and consumers. It will not work under the background of globalization and will not benefit anybody. The Chinese side firmly opposes this. We advocate to properly manage trade frictions through dialogue and consultation and firmly safeguard liberalization and facilitation of global trade and investment.
Merkel said that Premier Li Keqiang includes Germany in his first visit abroad, it fully demonstrates that China highly values its relations with Germany. The Germany-China relationship is now maintaining a good development momentum, with continuously deepened practical cooperation in various fields and increasingly close local and people-to-people exchanges. The German side is ready to join the efforts with the Chinese side to plan for and guide the bilateral cooperation with Germany-China inter-governmental consultation and other mechanisms, in a bid to push for new greater development in Germany-China relationship in the new era.
Merkel noted that Germany proposes to resolve EU-China disputes over PV and other products through dialogue and consultation. Germany regards the EU's permanent import duties imposed on related products as unhelpful and should be avoided. Hope that all parties concerned will hold in-depth talks by the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, to remove barriers and find a quick solution.
Li Keqiang also answered questions from the journalists on China-Germany relationship, China-Europe relations as well as international and regional hotspot issues.