German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a welcoming ceremony on July 9 in Berlin for Premier Li Keqiang.

This is their ninth meeting since Premier Li took office as Chinese premier. Merkel greeted Premier Li after he got out of his car. A military band played the national anthems of the two countries, and then they stood on a viewing stand to inspect an honor guard.

Before arriving in Berlin, Li concluded his visit to Bulgaria. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov saw him off at the airport.