Premier Li Keqiang on Oct 29 called for an “all-around upgrade” of Sino-German cooperation by further enhancing trust, spurring new growth and facilitating exchanges.

“High-level cooperation between China and Germany, two major economies, will not only bring enormous benefits to the social and economic development of both countries, but also help shape a new type of international relations, featuring reciprocity and win-win,” Premier Li said during a meeting with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In particular, the two countries should maintain frequent interaction and expand common interests in areas such as politics, diplomacy, security and anti-terrorism to build trust, said the Premier.

According to Premier Li, new economic growth points should be fostered between China and Germany, mainly in two-way investment, finance and innovation.

“Our strategies of ‘Made in China 2025’ and ‘Industry 4.0’ should better connect with each other,” said the Premier. “Also, further progress should be made in areas such as small and medium-sized enterprises, the equipment manufacturing industry, industrial parks and renewable energy.”

Furthermore, the Premier urged more convenience to boost people-to-people exchanges, especially a successful launch of the China-Germany Youth Exchange Year in 2016.

As for relations with the European Union, Premier Li said China, in firm support of European integration, hopes Germany, as a major member of EU, will play a positive role in negotiations for the China-EU investment treaty, the feasibility research of the China-EU free trade agreement and the facilitation of people-to-people exchanges.

Merkel said Germany and China have achieved deep and extensive cooperation with progress in finance and trade, as well as in political coordination on major international and regional issues.

“Germany is willing to work with China to enhance dialogue at all levels and cooperation on innovation,” Merkel said.