China, Germany to deepen bilateral relations

　　Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with representative of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Minister of Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries, who is in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation, in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

　　China and Germany will further bilateral relations and cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and a senior German official agreed Monday.[Special coverage] 

　　Germany is China's important partner in Europe, and an all-round and deepened development of bilateral relations conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, Li said at a meeting with Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries.

　　Zypries is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, as representative of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

　　China is willing to take the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to enhance high-level exchanges, engage in close communication about a wide range of topics of common interest, deepen complementary cooperation, and lift bilateral ties and cooperation to a new level, Li said.

　　The premier hoped that Germany will continue to play a constructive role and promote the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations and cooperation.

　　He said China supports Germany as the host of this year's G20 summit.

　　Zypries said German-China ties are steady and solid, and Germany is ready to enhance communication with China, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in a variety of areas so as to carry forward bilateral relations.