Senior Chinese legislator Cheng Siwei exchanged views on the
development of bilateral relations in a meeting with visiting
former German President Richard Von Weizsacker in Beijing on
Monday.
Cheng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National
People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, said the
China-Germany relations witnessed a smooth development with
frequent exchanges of high-level visits and fruitful cooperation in
various fields including politics, economy and culture.
The mature and sound development of the all-round strategic
partnership between the two countries is believed to continue,
Cheng noted.
Weizsacker echoed Cheng as saying that China and Germany, with
profound friendship, are enjoying fast growing cooperation in such
areas as politics, economy and trade.
Weizsacker said he hopes the two countries can further expand
bilateral cooperation and promote the development of the bilateral
relations.
Cheng also briefed Weizsacker on the efforts made by the NPC and
its standing committee on building a harmonious socialist
society.
Xu Kuangdi, vice chairman of the National Committee of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference also met with
Weizsacker on Monday.
Weizsacker said that China should continue to push forward for
the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue so as to exert
a positive influence on the Iran nuclear issue.
Xu said the changing world situation spells both opportunities
and challenges, and citizens the world over desire a harmonious
world with long-term peace and common prosperity.
"To achieve this goal, we need concerted efforts from the
international community including both China and Germany," Xu
added.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in
environmental protection.
Weizsacker served as German president from 1984 to 1994. He was
invited to Beijing by China Institute of Strategic Studies, a
think-tank on international issues.
Before the meeting, he also gave a speech titled "European Union
and China - Common Interests and Responsibility in the Globalized
World" to about 150 researchers and scholars on strategic
issues.
(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2006)
