German President Horst Köhler met visiting President Hu Jintao at Schloss Charlottenburg in Berlin on Thursday, and the two held talks on international issues of common concern after a welcoming ceremony.

Hu, who arrived in the German capital earlier that day, vowed to make joint efforts to push forward the Sino-German partnership with global responsibility.
   
Köhler said China's rapid development over the past two decades has drawn worldwide attention and its influence and role in international affairs is also growing, adding that his country hoped to expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
   
Hu said both nations carry considerable weight in the world and their relationship has developed smoothly since diplomatic ties were forged in 1972, with fruitful cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields.

    
Hu said this was because their relations have a solid political foundation, and both sides have attached great importance to improving them.

In May 2004, they issued a joint statement saying they would establish a partnership with global responsibility within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU.
   
Hu said China welcomes more investment from German business, encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Germany, and actively promotes exchange and cooperation in science and technology, education, culture and environmental protection.
       
Köhler said Germany would maintain its policy towards China and fully implement all the agreements set out in the joint statement by the two countries.
           
They exchanged views on supporting African countries' development, with Hu saying China will continue to make its contributions to aid efforts there.
   
Following the talks, the two attended the signing ceremony for several documents on cooperation in culture, transportation, telecommunications, medicine and health care.
   
Germany is the second leg of Hu's four-nation tour after the UK, which will also take him to Spain and South Korea. He is due to attend the 13th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Busan, South Korea on November 18-19.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2005)