Chinese vice president meets German president

BERLIN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with German President Horst Koehler on Monday, calling for more concerted efforts to lift Chinese-German ties onto a higher level.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with German  President Horst Koehler in Berlin, capital of Germany, Oct. 12, 2009. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Xi said Koehler is an old friend of the Chinese people, and that the Chinese side appreciates Koehler's long-term concern on and contribution to the Chinese-German and Chinese-European relations.

The Chinese vice president said both China and Germany are important countries in the world, and that he hoped his current visit could further increase mutual political trust and enhance bilateral cooperation.

The Sino-German ties have maintained good momentum of development this year thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, and despite of the international financial crisis, bilateral trade has become all the more important within the China-Europe trade during the first half of this year, he said.

Xi said the Chinese side has long attached vital importance to its relations with Germany, and that China has taken a strategic and long-term approach towards the bilateral ties.