Premier Li has arrived in Berlin on Oct 9 for an official three-day visit to Germany. He met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Oct 10 and both countries signed agreements worth 18-billion dollars, which will increase cooperation in areas including research, health and technology.

The two countries also released a comprehensive action plan designed to further promote their strategic partnership. Beijing, the premier added, is ready to open a strategic dialogue with Berlin on diplomatic and security affairs. He also urged Germany to increase high-tech exports to China and to support feasibility studies regarding a China-EU free-trade zone.

This is Premier Li’s second official visit to the European nation since he took office in March last year. Germany is the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will later take him to Russia and Italy.