Chinese President Hu Jintao (L, front) holds a welcome ceremony for visiting German President Horst Koehler (R, front) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 24, 2007. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with visiting German President Horst Koehler here on Thursday, exchanging views on bilateral relations and international issues.

    Hu hailed the rapid growth of China-German relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago, citing frequent high-level visits, the smooth launch of China-German strategic dialogue mechanism and strong growth of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

    He noted that China and Germany have continued to be the largest trade partners of each other in their respective regions, reached a unprecedented high level for culture, education, science and technology, environmental protection and justice cooperation, and strengthened contacts and coordination in international and regional issues.

    He expressed his appreciation for Germany's adherence to the one-China policy.

    Hu proposed that the two countries enhance their partnership with global responsibility from four aspects, including deepening political ties featuring equality and mutual trust, expanding win-win economic and trade cooperation, strengthening understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promoting international coordination within multilateral framework.

    Hu stressed that the two countries should mainly strengthen economic and trade cooperation in such areas as finance, insurance, infrastructure, energy, environmental protection and high-tech, adding China will actively provide assistance in the holding of a series of German cultural activities in China from 2007 to 2010.

    While reiterating that Germany's adherence to the one-China policy, Koehler said Germany is ready to strengthen dialogue with China to increase mutual trust and maintain the vitality of Germany-China partnership with global responsibility.

    Koehler told Hu that he hopes the two countries further develop the potential for bilateral cooperation and strive for more concrete fruits, noting the two sides should strengthen culture, tourism, non-governmental and youth exchanges and cooperation, and enhance coordination in safeguarding world peace and promoting global prosperity.

    Koehler arrived in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday morning, starting his first-ever state visitto China as German president. He is also scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin in Beijing.