On the noon of November 11, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was on a state visit to Germany, met with German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder in the Prime Minister's Palace.

Hu first said that Schroeder, during his 7 years of office as German Prime Minister, has made important contributions to pushing for bilateral friendly cooperation. In recent years, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been continuously expanded and both sides have become each other's largest trading partners in their respective regions. Germany is also the first developed country that worked with China to sign an agreement on legal exchanges and cooperation, set up a science promotion center, hold the environmental protection conference and acknowledge each other's higher education degree. Both sides have witnessed steadily deepened cooperation in the areas of science and technology, education, culture, law, tourism and environmental protection. The effective cooperation in these areas has brought tangible benefits to both peoples and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Hu pointed out that China will as always attach great importance to developing relations with Germany, and would like to work with Germany to deepen bilateral cooperation on the already existing cooperation basis. It is hoped that both sides will strengthen bilateral high-level exchanges and build up mutual political trust and strategic cooperation; expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation and promote mutual investment; enhance cooperation and exchanges in the areas of humanities and push bilateral relations to a new level. Schroeder indicated that he held profound feelings towards China. President Hu will be the last head of state received by Schroeder as Prime Minster, which fully reflects close ties between both sides and their leaders. To adhere to the one-China policy is the basis of Germany's relations with China and this basis will never change. Bilateral relations have entered a stage of all-round and rapid development and besides fruitful cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the educational, cultural and high-tech areas have also made headway. The new German government will maintain the continuity of its policy towards China and continuously advance and expand bilateral cooperation.

When talking about strengthening energy cooperation, Hu pointed out that energy resources are an important factor for influencing steady growth of world economy. China attaches great importance to the exploitation and utilization of energy resources, especially that of hydro, solar and biomass energy so as to realize sustainable development. Germany has technical advantage in clean and renewable energy and it is hoped that both sides can strengthen mutual cooperation. The two leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest. Schroeder appreciated China's active role in the process of peacefully resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and indicated that Germany gives top priority to China's impact on the peaceful resolution of Iranian nuclear issue and hopes to enhance bilateral cooperation in Afghanistan's reconstruction. Hu reiterated that China will continue playing a constructive role in realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding regional peace and stability. He emphasized that China has always opposed nuclear proliferation, advocates properly handling the Iranian nuclear issue at an early date within the framework of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and supports Germany and other EU countries to pursue a long-term resolution through dialogue and negotiations with Iran. Hu also indicated that China would like to offer support for Afghanistan's reconstruction and work with the international community to promote the stability of Afghan situation. Following the meeting, Hu and Schroeder jointly met with journalists from the Chinese, German and international media and introduced the important consensus reached between both sides on furthering bilateral friendly cooperation.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other Chinese companions attended the meeting.