Xi, Merkel mark path ahead in phone call

President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday, saying China and Germany should set an example of win-win cooperation.

Xi extended his congratulations to Merkel on her fourth election as German chancellor, and Merkel congratulated Xi on his election as Chinese president by a unanimous vote on Saturday at the ongoing session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Xi said China and Germany should set an example of win-win cooperation, align their strategies, plan for mutually beneficial cooperation, push forward cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and achieve common development.