Chinese premier calls for joint efforts with Germany to promote trade liberalization

BERLIN -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for joint efforts to promote trade liberalization and investment facilitation during his visit to Germany.

In face of global uncertainties, anti-globalization sentiment and rising protectionism in the world, China and Germany should continue to promote trade liberalization and investment facilitation and safeguard the regulations of the World Trade Organization, Li said during talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

Li said that China hopes the two countries could work together to offset global uncertainties with a stable bilateral relationship, so as to send positive signals of stability, cooperation and development to regions and the world at large.

China and Germany have fostered a fast-developing and more mature relationship with closer high-level communications, rapidly-growing trade and investments and new achievements in the field of people-to-people exchanges, Li said, adding that the two countries should continue to consolidate mutual trust, strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance communications in a spirit of mutual respect and equality.

The Chinese premier is on an official visit to Germany for an annual meeting between the two heads of government, a mechanism launched in 2004.