President Hu Jintao met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of December 7, 2004.
Hu said that the current development momentum in China-Germany relations is very good. Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in such areas as politics, economy, trade, science, technology and culture etc have been deepened continuously. China-Germany relations have been developed into mature strategic partnership. He appreciated the German government's prioritization over its ties with China, adherence to one-China policy, opposition to "Taiwan independence" and active efforts to develop comprehensive China-EU strategic partnership. Hu says that Germany is a country with significant influence in Europe and in the world. It is also one of the European countries that China has the broadest cooperation. China will make joint efforts with Germany in strengthening political mutual trust and strategic collaboration and improving dialogue and consultation mechanism at all levels. Strengthening bilateral trade, economic and technological cooperation. We welcome German businesses to participate more in China's efforts to develop its west and revitalize its old industrial bases in the northeastern part of the country, to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, education and personnel exchanges, etc, adding new vitality to the development of China-Germany strategic partnership.
Schroeder said that current Germany-China relations develop smoothly and there is no serious problem. The two countries not only have maintained good cooperation and exchanges in such areas as culture, science, technology and youth exchange, but also hold identical or similar views on major international issues. Germany is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties. The German government will continue to pursue the one-China policy, and will not do anything against the one-China policy. Germany has experience in upgrading old industrial areas and will take an active part in the development strategy of revitalizing northeastern China's old industrial bases. Germany will work with China to further strengthen political mutual trust and to deepen bilateral strategic partnership, and will make continued efforts to promote the ties between the EU and China.
They also exchanged opinions on international and regional issues of common interests.