On the afternoon of October 18, 2021, Premier Li Keqiang met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link at Ziguang Pavilion of Zhongnanhai leadership compound.

Li Keqiang spoke highly of Merkel's vigorous efforts to promote Germany's and Europe's practical cooperation with China and the two sides' friendly exchanges in all fields, adding that both China and Germany are committed to expanding their common interests on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Thanks to common endeavors, China-Germany cooperation has steadily taken the lead in China-EU cooperation. The stability and growth of China-Germany ties are mainly attributable to the fact that both sides adhere to equal treatment and focus on practical cooperation; adhere to mutual respect and properly handle differences; adhere to multilateralism and work together to tackle challenges. The sound and stable development of bilateral relations between China and Germany benefits not only the two countries, but also the world at large. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. China is willing to work with Germany to further deepen the potential of cooperation for the benefit of all and lead China-Germany relations steadily afar.

Li Keqiang pointed out, China will, as always, attach great importance to developing relations with Germany and hopes that the new German government will inherit the positive and practical policy toward China, consolidate the keynote of cooperation in China-Germany relations, continue to properly leverage bilateral dialogue and exchange mechanisms such as inter-governmental consultations, and make what underpins cooperation bigger and stronger. China is willing to work with all sides, including Germany, to jointly address climate change and strengthen international anti-pandemic cooperation. China will open its door even wider to the world, and hopes that both sides will maintain the two-way opening, jointly safeguard the rule-based multilateral trading system, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, drive global economic governance, and jointly tackle global challenges.

Li Keqiang welcomes Merkel to visit China often after her retirement and hopes she will continue to care about and support the development of China's relations with Germany and the EU.

Merkel said, over the last 10 years and more, Germany and China have sustained close exchanges, continuously deepened mutual understanding and increasingly expanded cooperation in various fields. Germany stands ready to work with China, the development of which is full of vitality, to keep on stepping up practical cooperation and expanding people-to-people exchanges. She hopes that German enterprises will gain sound and equal access to China's market. She believes that the new German government will continue to put a premium on its relations with China and hopes that Germany and China will take the opportunity of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2022 to promote further development of their all-round strategic partnership.